Qatar's Short Race and Main Event Qualifying: Live Updates
Introduction
The author is arriving soon to guide you through this day's short race (14:00 GMT) and qualifying (18:00 GMT).
Current Events
Starting Lap Time
The warm-up lap has started.
Circuit Details
There are 19 laps around the lengthiest track in Formula 1, the commentator reminds us.
Countdown
The countdown is on.
Racer Positions
An advantage in Verstappen's advantage: his teammate Tsunoda is ahead of him by a single position. He is unlikely to mess with the team's lead driver.
Media Conversations
Sky's internal discussion now: the analyst is with Mercedes.
The analyst is jumping ahead to the 2026 season, speaking with Adrian Newey about his stepping up to the team team principal.
Starting Positions
There are only 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 grand prix, he failed to make it out of Q1 once more on Friday. Ferrari have consequently adjusted to his car configuration and so he will start from the pit lane.
The team's Stroll and the Alpine pair of Gasly and Colapinto are all doing likewise.
Driver Comments
"We take the experience for tomorrow," states Hadjar, 11th on the grid. There will be plenty of learning.
Team Standings
It's not all about the individual championship: The team have dominated the team championship but Mercedes, with a forty-point advantage over Red Bull, will be hoping to secure the runner-up position this weekend. Russell can help them achieve that from second place, and Kimi Antonelli will begin immediately after Verstappen.
Previous Results
Piastri won that day – as he managed last year, too. McLaren's Australian is going for a third consecutive win.
Sprint Race Value
Right, approximately twenty minutes to go until the short race gets under way. Barring disaster, its main importance is as an indication of what is to come, rather than significant in its own right, with only eight points awarded to the victor. Mind you, second place in this race was enough for the driver to become champion two years ago.
The driver wins the championship following Pérez crashes out of Qatar GP sprint race.
