Qatar Short Race and Grand Prix Qualifying: Real-Time Updates
Introduction
The author will be here shortly to guide you through this day's short race (2pm GMT) and grid-setting session (18:00 GMT).
Current Events
Formation Lap Period
The starting lap has begun.
Circuit Details
We have nineteen laps of the longest circuit in F1, the commentator points out.
Final Moments
The last moments is on.
Driver Situation
An advantage in Verstappen's favour: his teammate Tsunoda is ahead of him by one place. It's improbable to interfere with the team's main man.
Interview Updates
Sky interviewing Sky currently: the analyst is with Mercedes.
The analyst is jumping ahead to 2026, interviewing Adrian Newey about his stepping up to the team team principal.
Grid Details
Just sixteen vehicles on the grid. It was another poor grid-setting session for the driver: following his result of twentieth and final in Las Vegas, leading to an eighth position in the main race, he did not manage to advance of the first qualifying segment again on Friday. The team have consequently adjusted to his car configuration and so he begins from the starting area.
Aston Martin's Lance Stroll and the Alpine duo of Gasly and Colapinto are all doing likewise.
Driver Comments
"We take the experience for tomorrow," states Isack Hadjar, starting eleventh. There will be 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 their rivals, are aiming to secure the runner-up position this weekend. George Russell can help them achieve that from second place, and Kimi Antonelli will begin immediately after Verstappen.
Past Performance
Oscar Piastri was victorious then – as he managed the previous season, too. The driver from McLaren is going for a hat-trick.
Short Race Importance
Right, approximately twenty minutes to go until the short race begins. Unless something goes wrong, it's greatest value is as an indication of what is to come, instead of significant in its own right, with just eight championship points available to the winner. However, second place here was enough for Verstappen to claim the title two years ago.
The driver claimed the championship after Pérez crashes out of the short race.
