Qatar Short Race and Main Event Qualifying: Live Updates

Preamble

Our correspondent is arriving soon to guide you through this day's sprint race (2pm GMT) and qualifying (18:00 GMT).

Current Events

Warm-Up Lap Time

The warm-up lap has started.

Track Information

We have nineteen laps around the lengthiest track in F1, David Croft points out.

Final Moments

The countdown is on.

Driver Situation

One point in Max Verstappen's advantage: his teammate Yuki Tsunoda is in front of him by a single position. He is unlikely to challenge the team's main man.

Interview Updates

Sky's internal discussion currently: Gary Neville is with Mercedes.

Karun Chandhok is jumping ahead to the 2026 season, interviewing the engineer about his stepping up to the team team principal.

Grid Details

There are only 16 cars on the grid. This followed another bad qualifying for Lewis Hamilton: after coming 20th and last in the previous race, leading to an eighth-place finish in the grand prix, he failed to make it out of the first qualifying segment again on the previous day. The team have as a result adjusted to his setup and so he will start from the starting area.

The team's Lance Stroll and the Alpine pair of Gasly and Colapinto are all starting from the same position.

Driver Comments

"We take the experience for the next day," states Isack Hadjar, 11th on the grid. There will be plenty of learning.

Constructors' Championship

The focus isn't solely on the drivers' title: McLaren have dominated the constructors' gong but the team, with a 40-point lead over their rivals, will be hoping to secure the runner-up position this weekend. Russell can help them achieve that from second place, and Antonelli will begin immediately after Verstappen.

Past Performance

Piastri was victorious then – as he did the previous season, as well. McLaren's Australian is attempting a hat-trick.

Short Race Importance

Alright, approximately 20 minutes to go till the short race gets under way. Unless something goes wrong, it's greatest value is as a preview of what is to come, rather than significant in its itself, with just eight championship points available to the winner. Mind you, second place here was enough for Verstappen to claim the title in a prior season.

The driver wins the championship after his teammate's accident of the short race.