Qatar Short Race and Main Event Qualifying: Live Updates
Preamble
Our correspondent is about to begin to cover today's short race (14:00 GMT) and qualifying (18:00 GMT).
Real-Time Updates
Warm-Up Lap Time
The warm-up lap has begun.
Circuit Details
We have 19 laps of the longest circuit in Formula One, the commentator reminds us.
Countdown
The countdown is underway.
Driver Situation
An advantage in Verstappen's favour: his teammate Tsunoda is in front of him by one place. He is unlikely to challenge the team's main man.
Interview Updates
Sky speaking with Sky currently: Gary Neville is with Mercedes.
Karun Chandhok is looking forward to the 2026 season, interviewing the engineer about his promotion to the team team principal.
Grid Details
There are only sixteen vehicles on the grid. It was another poor grid-setting session for the driver: after coming twentieth and final in Las Vegas, leading to an eighth-place finish in the grand prix, he failed to make it out of Q1 again on the previous day. Ferrari have consequently adjusted to his car configuration and so he begins from the starting area.
Aston Martin's Lance Stroll and the Alpine pair of Gasly and Franco Colapinto are all starting from the same position.
Racer Statements
"We'll use the experience for the next day," says Hadjar, 11th on the grid. There will be plenty of learning.
Team Standings
It's not all about the individual championship: McLaren have dominated the team championship but the team, with a 40-point lead over Red Bull, will be hoping to seal second place during this event. Russell can help them achieve that from the front row, and Antonelli will start just behind Verstappen.
Previous Results
Piastri won that day – as he managed last year, too. The driver from McLaren is going for a hat-trick.
Sprint Race Value
Alright, just over twenty minutes to go till the sprint race gets under way. Unless something goes wrong, it's greatest value is as a preview of what is to come, rather than highly important in its own right, with only eight points awarded to the victor. Mind you, second place here was enough for the driver to claim the title two years ago.
Max Verstappen wins F1 world title after Pérez crashes out of the short race.
