Qatar Short Race and Main Event Qualifying: Live Updates
Opening Notes
Our correspondent is about to begin to guide you through this day's short race (2pm GMT) and grid-setting session (18:00 GMT).
Real-Time Updates
Starting Lap Time
The warm-up lap is underway.
Circuit Details
We have 19 laps around the lengthiest track in Formula 1, the commentator reminds us.
Countdown
The countdown is underway.
Racer Positions
One point in Verstappen's favour: his fellow driver Tsunoda is in front of him by one place. It's improbable to interfere with Red Bull's main man.
Interview Updates
Sky speaking with Sky currently: Gary Neville is with Mercedes.
The analyst is looking forward to 2026, speaking with Adrian Newey about his promotion to the team lead role.
Starting Positions
There are only 16 cars on the grid. It was another bad qualifying for the driver: following his result of 20th and last in Las Vegas, leading to an eighth-place finish in the main race, he failed to make it out of Q1 once more on the previous day. The team have as a result adjusted to his car configuration and so he begins from the starting area.
Aston Martin's Lance Stroll and the Alpine pair of Pierre Gasly and Franco Colapinto are all doing likewise.
Racer Statements
"We take the experience for the next day," states Hadjar, starting eleventh. There will be a lot of that.
Constructors' Championship
It's not all about the individual championship: McLaren have dominated the team championship but Mercedes, with a forty-point advantage over Red Bull, are aiming to seal second place during this event. Russell can assist in this goal from the front row, and Kimi Antonelli will begin immediately after the leader.
Past Performance
Oscar Piastri was victorious then – as he managed last year, too. McLaren's Australian is attempting a hat-trick.
Short Race Importance
Alright, just over 20 minutes to go until the short race gets under way. Barring disaster, it's greatest value is as an indication of future events, rather than highly important in its itself, with only eight points awarded to the victor. Mind you, the runner-up spot in this race was enough for the driver to become champion in a prior season.
The driver wins F1 world title after his teammate's accident of the short race.
