Qatar Short Race and Main Event Qualifying: Real-Time Updates

Opening Notes

Our correspondent is arriving soon to guide you through this day's short race (2pm GMT) and qualifying (18:00 GMT).

Real-Time Updates

Warm-Up Lap Time

The starting lap has started.

Track Information

We have nineteen laps around the lengthiest track in F1, the commentator reminds us.

Final Moments

The countdown is on.

Driver Situation

One point in Verstappen's favour: his teammate Tsunoda is in front of him by one place. He is unlikely to mess with Red Bull's lead driver.

Interview Updates

Sky's internal discussion now: Gary Neville is with Mercedes.

Karun Chandhok is looking forward to 2026, speaking with the engineer about his promotion to the team lead role.

Starting Positions

There are only sixteen vehicles on the grid. This followed another bad qualifying for the driver: following his result of 20th and last in the previous race, leading to an eighth position in the main race, he failed to make it out of Q1 again on the previous day. The team have as a result made changes to his car configuration and so he begins from the starting area.

Aston Martin's Lance Stroll and the Alpine duo of Pierre Gasly and Colapinto are all starting from the same position.

Driver Comments

"We take the experience for the next day," says Hadjar, 11th on the grid. Expect a lot of that.

Team Standings

The focus isn't solely on the drivers' title: The team 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 help them achieve that from second place, and Kimi Antonelli will start just behind the leader.

Past Performance

Oscar Piastri was victorious then – as he did the previous season, as well. The driver from McLaren is going for a hat-trick.

Sprint Race Value

Alright, just over 20 minutes to go till the sprint race begins. Unless something goes wrong, its main importance is as a preview of future events, instead of significant in its own right, with just eight championship points awarded to the winner. Mind you, second place in this race was sufficient for Verstappen to become champion in a prior season.

The driver claimed the championship after his teammate's accident of Qatar GP sprint race.