Qatar Short Race and Main Event Qualifying: Live Updates
Introduction
The author will be here shortly to take you through this day's sprint race (2pm GMT) and qualifying (18:00 GMT).
Current Events
Formation Lap Period
The starting lap is underway.
Circuit Details
There are nineteen laps around the lengthiest track in Formula One, David Croft reminds us.
Countdown
The countdown has begun.
Driver Situation
One point in Verstappen's favour: his fellow driver Yuki Tsunoda is ahead of him by a single position. It's improbable to challenge Red Bull's main man.
Interview Updates
Sky interviewing Sky now: Gary Neville is at the Mercedes team.
Karun Chandhok is looking forward to the 2026 season, speaking with the engineer about his promotion to Aston Martin team principal.
Starting Positions
Just sixteen vehicles on the grid. This followed another bad qualifying for the driver: following his result of twentieth and final in the previous race, resulting in an eighth-place finish in the grand prix, he failed to make it out of the first qualifying segment once more on the previous day. The team have consequently made changes to his car configuration and so he will start from the pit lane.
Aston Martin's Lance Stroll and the Alpine duo of Gasly and Franco Colapinto are all doing likewise.
Driver Comments
"We'll use the experience for tomorrow," says Hadjar, 11th on the grid. Expect plenty of learning.
Constructors' Championship
The focus isn't solely on the individual championship: The team have dominated the team championship but the team, with a 40-point lead over Red Bull, will be hoping to secure the runner-up position during this event. George Russell can help them achieve that from the front row, and Antonelli will start just behind the leader.
Previous Results
Piastri was victorious then – as he managed the previous season, too. The driver from McLaren is attempting a third consecutive win.
Short Race Importance
Alright, just over twenty minutes remaining until the sprint race begins. Unless something goes wrong, its main importance is as a preview of future events, rather than highly important in its own right, with only eight points awarded to the victor. Mind you, the runner-up spot here was enough for the driver to become champion two years ago.
Max Verstappen claimed the championship following Pérez crashes out of the short race.