Qatar's Short Race and Main Event Qualifying: Live Updates
Opening Notes
The author is about to begin to guide you through this day's short race (14:00 GMT) and qualifying (18:00 GMT).
Live Feed
Warm-Up Lap Time
The starting lap has started.
Circuit Details
There are nineteen laps around the lengthiest track in F1, the commentator informs us.
Countdown
The countdown is underway.
Racer Positions
An advantage in Max Verstappen's advantage: his teammate Tsunoda is in front of him by one place. He is unlikely to mess with Red Bull's main man.
Interview Updates
Sky speaking with Sky now: Gary Neville is with Mercedes.
Karun Chandhok is looking forward to the 2026 season, speaking with the engineer about his promotion to Aston Martin team principal.
Starting Positions
Just sixteen vehicles on the grid. This followed another bad qualifying for the driver: following his result of 20th and last in the previous race, resulting in an eighth-place finish in the grand prix, he did not manage to advance of the first qualifying segment once more on the previous day. Ferrari have as a result adjusted to his car configuration and so he begins from the pit lane.
The team's Stroll and the Alpine pair of Pierre Gasly and Colapinto are all starting from the same position.
Racer Statements
"We'll use the learning for tomorrow," says Isack Hadjar, starting eleventh. There will be a lot of that.
Team Standings
The focus isn't solely on the drivers' title: McLaren have dominated the constructors' gong but the team, with a forty-point advantage over their rivals, are aiming to secure the runner-up position during this event. George Russell can help them achieve that from second place, and Antonelli will begin immediately after the leader.
Past Performance
Oscar Piastri was victorious then – as he did the previous season, too. The driver from McLaren is attempting a third consecutive win.
Sprint Race Value
Right, just over twenty minutes to go until the short race gets under way. Unless something goes wrong, it's greatest value is as an indication of what is to come, rather than significant in its itself, with just eight championship points available to the winner. Mind you, second place in this race was sufficient for Verstappen to become champion in a prior season.
The driver wins the championship after his teammate's accident of Qatar GP sprint race.