Qatar Short Race and Main Event Qualifying: Real-Time Coverage
Introduction
Philip is arriving soon to guide you through today's short race (2pm GMT) and qualifying (18:00 GMT).
Live Feed
Warm-Up Lap Period
The formation lap has started.
Track Information
There are 19 laps around the lengthiest track in Formula One, David Croft reminds us.
Countdown
The final countdown has begun.
Driver Situation
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 main man.
Media Conversations
Sky interviewing Sky now: Gary Neville is with Mercedes.
Karun Chandhok is jumping ahead to the 2026 season, speaking with the engineer about his stepping up to Aston Martin lead role.
Grid Details
Just sixteen vehicles on the grid. It was another bad qualifying for the driver: after coming twentieth and final in Las Vegas, leading to an eighth-place finish in the grand prix, he failed to advance of the first qualifying segment again on the previous day. The team have as a result made changes to his car configuration and so he will start from the pit lane.
Aston Martin's Lance Stroll and the Alpine pair of Gasly and Franco Colapinto are all doing likewise.
Driver Comments
"We'll use the experience for tomorrow," states Hadjar, 11th on the grid. Expect plenty of learning.
Constructors' Championship
It's not all about the individual championship: McLaren have dominated the team championship but Mercedes, with a forty-point advantage over their rivals, will be hoping to secure the runner-up position during this event. Russell can assist in this goal from second place, and Antonelli will start just behind Verstappen.
Past Performance
Oscar Piastri won that day – as he managed the previous season, too. McLaren's Australian is attempting a hat-trick.
Short Race Importance
Alright, approximately twenty minutes remaining until the sprint race begins. Barring disaster, its main importance is as an indication of what is to come, instead of highly important in its itself, with only eight points available to the winner. Mind you, the runner-up spot in this race was enough for the driver to become champion in a prior season.
The driver wins the championship following Pérez crashes out of the short race.
