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

Introduction

The author is about to begin to cover this day's sprint race (2pm GMT) and grid-setting session (18:00 GMT).

Live Feed

Starting Lap Period

The starting lap is underway.

Track Information

We have nineteen laps around the lengthiest track in Formula One, the commentator reminds us.

Final Moments

The last moments is on.

Driver Situation

One point in Verstappen's favour: his teammate Yuki Tsunoda is in front of him by a single position. It's improbable to challenge the team's main man.

Interview Updates

Sky interviewing Sky currently: the analyst is at the Mercedes team.

The analyst is jumping ahead to 2026, interviewing the engineer about his promotion to Aston Martin team principal.

Grid Details

Just 16 cars on the grid. It was another bad qualifying for Lewis Hamilton: following his result of twentieth and final in Las Vegas, resulting in an eighth position in the main race, he failed to advance of the first qualifying segment again on Friday. Ferrari have as a result made changes to his car configuration and so he begins from the starting area.

Aston Martin's Lance Stroll and the Alpine duo of Pierre Gasly and Franco Colapinto are all doing likewise.

Driver Comments

"We take the learning for tomorrow," states Hadjar, starting eleventh. Expect a lot of that.

Constructors' Championship

The focus isn't solely on the individual championship: The team have dominated the constructors' gong but the team, with a forty-point advantage over their rivals, are aiming to secure the runner-up position during this event. Russell can assist in this goal from second place, and Antonelli will start just behind Verstappen.

Previous Results

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

Short Race Importance

Right, approximately twenty minutes to go until the short race begins. Unless something goes wrong, its main importance is as an indication of future events, instead of highly important in its own right, with only eight points awarded to the victor. Mind you, second place here was sufficient for Verstappen to become champion two years ago.

Max Verstappen wins the championship following his teammate's accident of the short race.