Qatar's Short Race and Main Event Qualifying: Live Coverage
Opening Notes
The author will be here shortly to cover today's short race (14:00 GMT) and qualifying (6pm).
Live Feed
Formation Lap Period
The starting lap has started.
Track Information
We have 19 laps around the lengthiest track in F1, the commentator informs us.
Countdown
The final countdown has begun.
Racer Positions
An advantage in Max Verstappen's advantage: his teammate Yuki Tsunoda is in front of him by one place. He is unlikely to mess with the team's main man.
Media Conversations
Sky's internal discussion currently: the analyst is at the Mercedes team.
Karun Chandhok is looking forward to 2026, speaking with Adrian Newey about his promotion to Aston Martin lead role.
Grid Details
There are only sixteen vehicles on the grid. It was another poor grid-setting session for the driver: after coming 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 once more on the previous day. Ferrari have as a result made changes to his setup and so he will start from the pit lane.
The team's Lance Stroll and the Alpine duo of Gasly and Colapinto are all doing likewise.
Driver Comments
"We'll use the experience for the next day," says Isack Hadjar, starting eleventh. Expect a lot of that.
Constructors' Championship
The focus isn't solely on the individual championship: The team have run away with the constructors' gong but the team, with a 40-point lead over Red Bull, will be hoping to secure the runner-up position this weekend. George Russell can assist in this goal from second place, and Kimi Antonelli will start just behind the leader.
Past Performance
Piastri won that day – as he did last year, as well. The driver from McLaren is going for a third consecutive win.
Sprint Race Value
Right, just over 20 minutes remaining till the short race begins. Barring disaster, it's greatest value is as a preview of future events, rather than highly important in its own right, with just eight championship points awarded to the winner. However, second place here was enough for the driver to claim the title two years ago.
Max Verstappen claimed the championship following Pérez crashes out of the short race.
