Qatar Short Race and Grand Prix Qualifying: Live Updates

Introduction

The author will be here shortly to cover this day's sprint race (14:00 GMT) and qualifying (18:00 GMT).

Current Events

Starting Lap Time

The starting lap has started.

Circuit Details

We have nineteen laps around the lengthiest track in F1, the commentator informs us.

Countdown

The countdown is on.

Driver Situation

One point in Max Verstappen's favour: his teammate Yuki Tsunoda is ahead of him by a single position. It's improbable to challenge Red Bull's lead driver.

Media Conversations

Sky's internal discussion currently: Gary Neville is at the Mercedes team.

Karun Chandhok is looking forward to the 2026 season, interviewing Adrian Newey about his stepping up to Aston Martin team principal.

Grid Details

Just 16 cars on the grid. It was another poor grid-setting session for the driver: after coming twentieth and final in Las Vegas, leading to an eighth position in the main race, he failed to make it out of the first qualifying segment once more on the previous day. Ferrari have consequently adjusted to his setup and so he begins from the starting area.

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, 11th on the grid. There will be plenty of learning.

Constructors' Championship

The focus isn't solely on the individual championship: McLaren have dominated the constructors' gong but Mercedes, with a forty-point advantage over their rivals, will be hoping to secure the runner-up position during this event. George Russell can help them achieve that from second place, and Antonelli will start just behind Verstappen.

Previous Results

Piastri won that day – as he did last year, as well. The driver from McLaren is going for a hat-trick.

Short Race Importance

Right, approximately twenty minutes to go till the short race gets under way. Unless something goes wrong, it's greatest value is as a preview of what is to come, rather than significant in its own right, with just eight championship points awarded to the winner. Mind you, the runner-up spot here was sufficient for the driver to claim the title in a prior season.

The driver claimed the championship following his teammate's accident of the short race.