Qatar Short Race and Grand Prix Qualifying: Real-Time Coverage

Introduction

The author is arriving soon to take you through today's short race (2pm GMT) and qualifying (6pm).

Real-Time Updates

Warm-Up Lap Time

The formation lap is underway.

Circuit Details

We have nineteen laps of the longest circuit in F1, the commentator informs us.

Countdown

The countdown is underway.

Driver Situation

An advantage in Max Verstappen's advantage: his fellow driver Yuki Tsunoda is in front of him by one place. It's improbable to mess with the team's main man.

Media Conversations

Sky interviewing Sky now: Gary Neville is at the Mercedes team.

Karun Chandhok is looking forward to the 2026 season, interviewing the engineer about his promotion to Aston Martin team principal.

Grid Details

Just sixteen vehicles on the grid. This followed another bad qualifying for the driver: following his result of 20th and last in the previous race, resulting in an eighth-place finish in the main race, he did not manage to make it out of Q1 once more on the previous day. Ferrari have consequently adjusted to his setup and so he begins from the pit lane.

The team's Stroll and the Alpine duo of Gasly and Franco Colapinto are all doing likewise.

Driver Comments

"We'll use the experience for tomorrow," states Hadjar, starting eleventh. There will be a lot of that.

Team Standings

The focus isn't solely on the drivers' title: McLaren have run away with the constructors' gong but Mercedes, with a forty-point advantage over their rivals, are aiming to seal second place during this event. George Russell can help them achieve that from second place, and Kimi Antonelli will begin immediately after the leader.

Previous Results

Piastri was victorious then – as he managed last year, as well. The driver from McLaren is going for a third consecutive win.

Sprint Race Value

Right, just over 20 minutes remaining until the sprint race gets under way. Unless something goes wrong, its main importance is as an indication of what is to come, instead of highly important in its itself, with only eight points available to the victor. Mind you, the runner-up spot here was enough for Verstappen to become champion two years ago.

Max Verstappen wins F1 world title after his teammate's accident of the short race.