Qatar Short Race and Grand Prix Qualifying: Real-Time Coverage
Introduction
Philip will be here shortly to cover this day's short race (2pm GMT) and grid-setting session (6pm).
Current Events
Warm-Up Lap Period
The starting lap is underway.
Track Information
There are 19 laps of the longest circuit in F1, the commentator points out.
Final Moments
The final countdown has begun.
Racer Positions
An advantage in Verstappen's advantage: his fellow driver Yuki Tsunoda is ahead of him by a single position. He is unlikely to challenge Red Bull's main man.
Media Conversations
Sky interviewing Sky currently: the analyst is at the Mercedes team.
The analyst is jumping ahead to the 2026 season, speaking with the engineer about his stepping up to the team team principal.
Grid Details
There are only 16 cars on the grid. It was another bad qualifying 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 Q1 once more on Friday. Ferrari have consequently made changes to his car configuration and so he will start from the starting area.
The team's Lance Stroll and the Alpine duo of Gasly and Colapinto are all doing likewise.
Racer Statements
"We take the learning for tomorrow," says Isack Hadjar, starting eleventh. Expect plenty of learning.
Constructors' Championship
It's not all about the drivers' title: The team have dominated the team championship but the team, with a forty-point advantage over Red Bull, are aiming to secure the runner-up position during this event. George Russell can help them achieve that from the front row, and Kimi Antonelli will start just behind the leader.
Previous Results
Piastri won that day – as he did last year, too. The driver from McLaren is going for a third consecutive win.
Sprint Race Value
Alright, just over 20 minutes to go until the short race begins. Barring disaster, its main importance is as an indication of future events, rather than significant in its itself, with only eight points awarded to the victor. Mind you, second place here was enough for Verstappen to become champion in a prior season.
The driver wins the championship following his teammate's accident of Qatar GP sprint race.
