Qatar Short Race and Grand Prix Qualifying: Live Updates
Preamble
Philip is about to begin to take you through today's short race (2pm GMT) and grid-setting session (6pm).
Current Events
Warm-Up Lap Time
The starting lap is underway.
Circuit Details
We have 19 laps of the longest circuit in Formula 1, the commentator points out.
Final Moments
The final countdown is underway.
Driver Situation
One point in Max Verstappen's advantage: his fellow driver Tsunoda is ahead of him by one place. He is unlikely to challenge the team's main man.
Media Conversations
Sky speaking with Sky now: the analyst is with Mercedes.
Karun Chandhok is looking forward to 2026, interviewing the engineer about his stepping up to Aston Martin lead role.
Grid Details
Just sixteen vehicles on the grid. This followed another poor grid-setting session for the driver: after coming 20th and last in the previous race, leading to an eighth-place finish in the grand prix, he did not manage to advance of Q1 again on the previous day. The team have consequently adjusted to his setup and so he will start from the starting area.
Aston Martin's Lance Stroll and the Alpine duo of Gasly and Franco Colapinto are all starting from the same position.
Racer Statements
"We'll use the experience for tomorrow," says Hadjar, starting eleventh. There will be a lot of that.
Constructors' Championship
It's not all about the drivers' title: McLaren have run away with the constructors' gong but the team, with a forty-point advantage over Red Bull, are aiming to seal second place during this event. George Russell can assist in this goal from the front row, and Kimi Antonelli will begin immediately after Verstappen.
Past Performance
Oscar Piastri won that day – as he did the previous season, as well. McLaren's Australian is going for a hat-trick.
Short Race Importance
Right, approximately 20 minutes to go until the short race begins. Unless something goes wrong, its main importance is as a preview of what is to come, rather than significant in its own right, with just eight championship points awarded to the victor. However, the runner-up spot in this race was sufficient for Verstappen to claim the title in a prior season.
Max Verstappen claimed the championship following his teammate's accident of the short race.
