Qatar Short Race and Main Event Qualifying: Real-Time Updates
Introduction
Philip is about to begin to take you through this day's sprint race (2pm GMT) and qualifying (6pm).
Current Events
Starting Lap Period
The formation lap is underway.
Circuit Details
There are nineteen laps of the longest circuit in Formula One, David Croft reminds us.
Final Moments
The final countdown has begun.
Driver Situation
One point in Max Verstappen's favour: his teammate Yuki Tsunoda is in front of him by one place. He is unlikely to mess with the team's main man.
Media Conversations
Sky interviewing Sky currently: the analyst is at the Mercedes team.
Karun Chandhok is jumping ahead to the 2026 season, speaking with the engineer about his promotion to Aston Martin team principal.
Starting Positions
Just 16 cars on the grid. This followed another bad qualifying for Lewis Hamilton: following his result of twentieth and final in Las Vegas, leading to an eighth position in the main race, he failed to advance of Q1 once more on the previous day. Ferrari have consequently adjusted to his car configuration and so he begins from the starting area.
Aston Martin's Stroll and the Alpine duo of Pierre Gasly and Colapinto are all doing likewise.
Driver Comments
"We'll use the experience for tomorrow," says Hadjar, starting eleventh. Expect plenty of learning.
Team Standings
The focus isn't solely on the individual championship: McLaren have run away with the team championship but Mercedes, with a 40-point lead over their rivals, are aiming to seal second place during this event. George Russell can assist in this goal from second place, and Kimi Antonelli will begin immediately after the leader.
Past Performance
Oscar Piastri won that day – as he managed last year, too. The driver from McLaren is attempting a third consecutive win.
Short Race Importance
Right, approximately 20 minutes to go until the short race begins. Unless something goes wrong, its main importance is as an indication of what is to come, rather than highly important in its own right, with just eight championship points available to the winner. Mind you, the runner-up spot in this race was enough for the driver to become champion two years ago.
Max Verstappen wins the championship following Pérez crashes out of the short race.
