Qatar Short Race and Main Event Qualifying: Live Coverage

Preamble

Philip is about to begin to cover today's short race (2pm GMT) and grid-setting session (6pm).

Real-Time Updates

Formation Lap Time

The warm-up lap has begun.

Track Information

We have 19 laps of the longest circuit in Formula One, David Croft informs us.

Final Moments

The last moments is underway.

Driver Situation

An advantage in Max Verstappen's advantage: his teammate Tsunoda is ahead of him by a single position. It's improbable to mess with Red Bull's lead driver.

Interview Updates

Sky's internal discussion now: Gary Neville is with Mercedes.

Karun Chandhok is jumping ahead to the 2026 season, speaking with the engineer about his promotion to Aston Martin lead role.

Grid Details

There are only 16 cars on the grid. It was another poor grid-setting session for Lewis Hamilton: following his result of twentieth and final in the previous race, resulting in an eighth-place finish in the grand prix, he failed to make it out of the first qualifying segment again on Friday. The team have consequently adjusted to his car configuration and so he begins from the starting area.

The team's Stroll and the Alpine pair of Pierre Gasly and Colapinto are all starting from the same position.

Racer Statements

"We take the learning for the next day," says Hadjar, 11th on the grid. There will be plenty of learning.

Constructors' Championship

The focus isn't solely on the individual championship: The team have run away with the constructors' gong but Mercedes, with a forty-point advantage over Red Bull, will be hoping to seal second place during this event. Russell can help them achieve that from the front row, and Kimi Antonelli will start just behind Verstappen.

Past Performance

Piastri was victorious then – as he did the previous season, too. McLaren's Australian is attempting a third consecutive win.

Short Race Importance

Right, just over twenty minutes to go until the short race begins. Unless something goes wrong, its main importance is as a preview of what is to come, instead of highly important in its own right, with only eight points awarded to the winner. Mind you, second place in this race was enough for Verstappen to claim the title two years ago.

Max Verstappen wins F1 world title following Pérez crashes out of Qatar GP sprint race.