Qatar Short Race and Main Event Qualifying: Real-Time Coverage
Opening Notes
Our correspondent is about to begin to cover today's short race (2pm GMT) and qualifying (6pm).
Current Events
Formation Lap Time
The formation lap has started.
Track Information
We have nineteen laps of the longest circuit in Formula One, the commentator informs us.
Final Moments
The final countdown is on.
Racer Positions
One point in Verstappen's advantage: his teammate Tsunoda is in front of him by one place. He is unlikely to mess with Red Bull's main man.
Interview Updates
Sky's internal discussion now: Gary Neville is at the Mercedes team.
The analyst is jumping ahead to the 2026 season, interviewing the engineer about his promotion to the team team principal.
Starting Positions
There are only sixteen vehicles on the grid. It was another bad qualifying for the driver: following his result of 20th and last in Las Vegas, leading to an eighth position in the main race, he failed to advance of the first qualifying segment once more on the previous day. The team have as a result made changes to his car configuration and so he begins from the pit lane.
Aston Martin's Lance Stroll and the Alpine duo of Pierre Gasly and Colapinto are all starting from the same position.
Racer Statements
"We'll use the experience for tomorrow," says Isack Hadjar, 11th on the grid. Expect plenty of learning.
Constructors' Championship
It's not all about the individual championship: The team have dominated the constructors' gong but the team, with a forty-point advantage over Red Bull, are aiming to secure the runner-up position this weekend. Russell can help them achieve that from the front row, and Kimi Antonelli will start just behind Verstappen.
Previous Results
Piastri won that day – as he did the previous season, as well. The driver from McLaren is attempting a hat-trick.
Short Race Importance
Right, just over 20 minutes to go till the sprint race gets under way. Unless something goes wrong, its main importance is as an indication of what is to come, rather than highly important in its itself, with just eight championship points available to the winner. Mind you, second place in this race was sufficient for Verstappen to become champion two years ago.
Max Verstappen wins F1 world title following his teammate's accident of the short race.
