Qatar's Short Race and Main Event Qualifying: Real-Time Updates
Introduction
Our correspondent is arriving soon to cover this day's short race (14:00 GMT) and grid-setting session (6pm).
Current Events
Formation Lap Time
The starting lap has started.
Track Information
There are nineteen laps around the lengthiest track in F1, the commentator points out.
Final Moments
The final countdown is on.
Racer Positions
One point in Max Verstappen's favour: his teammate Tsunoda is in front of him by a single position. It's improbable to interfere with the team's lead driver.
Interview Updates
Sky interviewing Sky currently: Gary Neville is at the Mercedes team.
The analyst is looking forward to the 2026 season, speaking with Adrian Newey about his promotion to the team team principal.
Starting Positions
Just sixteen vehicles on the grid. It was another bad qualifying for the driver: following his result of twentieth and final in the previous race, resulting in an eighth position in the grand prix, he did not manage to advance of the first qualifying segment again on the previous day. The team have as a result adjusted to his car configuration and so he will start from the starting area.
Aston Martin's Lance Stroll and the Alpine pair of Gasly and Colapinto are all doing likewise.
Racer Statements
"We'll use the experience for tomorrow," says Hadjar, starting eleventh. There will be 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 Red Bull, will be hoping to secure the runner-up position during this event. George Russell can assist in this goal from second place, and Antonelli will start just behind Verstappen.
Previous Results
Piastri won that day – as he managed last year, as well. McLaren's Australian is going for a third consecutive win.
Short Race Importance
Alright, just over 20 minutes to go until the short race gets under way. Unless something goes wrong, its main importance is as a preview of future events, instead of significant in its itself, with just eight championship points awarded to the victor. Mind you, second place in this race was enough for Verstappen to become champion in a prior season.
Max Verstappen claimed the championship after his teammate's accident of Qatar GP sprint race.
