Qatar Short Race and Grand Prix Qualifying: Live Updates
Opening Notes
Our correspondent will be here shortly to guide you through today's short race (2pm GMT) and grid-setting session (6pm).
Real-Time Updates
Starting Lap Period
The formation lap has started.
Track Information
There are 19 laps of the longest circuit in F1, the commentator informs us.
Countdown
The countdown has begun.
Driver Situation
One point in Max Verstappen's favour: his teammate Tsunoda is in front of him by one place. He is unlikely to mess with Red Bull's lead driver.
Interview Updates
Sky speaking with Sky now: Gary Neville is at the Mercedes team.
Karun Chandhok is looking forward to the 2026 season, speaking with Adrian Newey about his stepping up to Aston Martin lead role.
Starting Positions
Just 16 cars on the grid. This followed another bad qualifying for the driver: following his result of twentieth and final in Las Vegas, leading to an eighth-place finish in the grand prix, he failed to make it out of Q1 once more on Friday. Ferrari have as a result adjusted to his car configuration and so he will start from the pit lane.
The team's Stroll and the Alpine pair of Gasly and Colapinto are all doing likewise.
Driver Comments
"We'll use the learning for tomorrow," says Hadjar, starting eleventh. Expect a lot of that.
Constructors' Championship
The focus isn't solely on the individual championship: McLaren have run away with the team championship but the team, with a 40-point lead over their rivals, will be hoping to seal second place during this event. Russell can help them achieve that from second place, and Kimi Antonelli will begin immediately after Verstappen.
Previous Results
Piastri won that day – as he did last year, too. McLaren's Australian is attempting a third consecutive win.
Sprint Race Value
Right, approximately twenty minutes to go until the short race begins. Barring disaster, it's greatest value is as a preview of what is to come, instead of highly important in its itself, with only eight points awarded to the winner. However, the runner-up spot in this race was enough for Verstappen to become champion two years ago.
The driver claimed the championship after Pérez crashes out of the short race.
