Qatar Short Race and Grand Prix Qualifying: Real-Time Coverage

Preamble

Our correspondent is about to begin to take you through today's short race (2pm GMT) and grid-setting session (6pm).

Real-Time Updates

Warm-Up Lap Time

The formation lap is underway.

Circuit Details

There are nineteen laps around the lengthiest track in Formula 1, David Croft informs us.

Final Moments

The final countdown is underway.

Driver Situation

An advantage in Verstappen's advantage: his fellow driver Yuki Tsunoda is ahead of him by a single position. It's improbable to challenge the team's lead driver.

Interview Updates

Sky speaking with Sky currently: the analyst is with Mercedes.

The analyst is looking forward to 2026, interviewing Adrian Newey about his stepping up to Aston Martin lead role.

Grid Details

There are only 16 cars on the grid. This followed another poor grid-setting session for Lewis Hamilton: after coming twentieth and final in Las Vegas, resulting in an eighth position in the main race, he failed to make it out of Q1 once more on the previous day. The team have consequently made changes to his setup and so he begins from the pit lane.

Aston Martin's Lance Stroll and the Alpine duo of Gasly and Colapinto are all starting from the same position.

Racer Statements

"We'll use the learning for tomorrow," states Hadjar, 11th on the grid. There will be plenty of learning.

Team Standings

The focus isn't solely on the drivers' title: The team have dominated the constructors' gong but the team, with a forty-point advantage over Red Bull, will be hoping to secure the runner-up position this weekend. George Russell can help them achieve that from the front row, and Kimi Antonelli will begin immediately after Verstappen.

Previous Results

Oscar Piastri won that day – as he did last year, too. The driver from McLaren is going for a hat-trick.

Sprint Race Value

Alright, approximately twenty minutes to go until the sprint race gets under way. Barring disaster, it's greatest value is as an indication of what is to come, instead of significant in its itself, with only eight points awarded to the winner. Mind you, second place here was enough for Verstappen to become champion in a prior season.

Max Verstappen claimed the championship following Pérez crashes out of the short race.