Qatar Short Race and Grand Prix Qualifying: Real-Time Coverage
Preamble
The author is about to begin to take you through this day's short race (2pm GMT) and qualifying (18:00 GMT).
Real-Time Updates
Formation Lap Period
The starting lap has started.
Track Information
We have nineteen laps of the longest circuit in F1, David Croft points out.
Final Moments
The countdown has begun.
Racer Positions
One point in Max Verstappen's favour: his fellow driver Yuki Tsunoda is ahead of him by one place. It's improbable to interfere with the team's lead driver.
Media Conversations
Sky speaking with Sky currently: the analyst is with Mercedes.
Karun Chandhok is jumping ahead to the 2026 season, interviewing Adrian Newey about his stepping up to the team lead role.
Starting Positions
There are only 16 cars on the grid. It was another poor grid-setting session for the driver: following his result of 20th and last in the previous race, resulting in an eighth-place finish in the grand prix, he did not manage to make it out of the first qualifying segment once more on Friday. The team have as a result adjusted to his car configuration and so he will start from the starting area.
The team's Lance Stroll and the Alpine duo of Gasly and Colapinto are all starting from the same position.
Driver Comments
"We take the experience for tomorrow," says Hadjar, 11th on the grid. There will be a lot of that.
Constructors' Championship
It's not all about the individual championship: The team have dominated the team championship but the team, with a forty-point advantage over their rivals, are aiming to seal second place this weekend. George Russell can help them achieve that from second place, and Antonelli will start just behind the leader.
Past Performance
Piastri won that day – as he managed the previous season, as well. The driver from McLaren is going for a hat-trick.
Short Race Importance
Right, just over 20 minutes to go until the short race begins. Unless something goes wrong, it's greatest value is as an indication of future events, rather than significant in its itself, with just eight championship points available to the winner. However, the runner-up spot in this race was enough for the driver to claim the title two years ago.
The driver wins F1 world title following his teammate's accident of the short race.
