Qatar Short Race and Grand Prix Qualifying: Real-Time Updates
Opening Notes
Philip is about to begin to cover this day's short race (14:00 GMT) and grid-setting session (18:00 GMT).
Current Events
Formation Lap Time
The warm-up lap has started.
Track Information
We have 19 laps around the lengthiest track in Formula 1, the commentator points out.
Final Moments
The last moments is underway.
Racer Positions
One point in Verstappen's advantage: his fellow driver Yuki Tsunoda is ahead of him by a single position. He is unlikely to challenge Red Bull's lead driver.
Media Conversations
Sky interviewing Sky now: the analyst is at the Mercedes team.
The analyst is looking forward to 2026, interviewing the engineer about his promotion to the team team principal.
Starting Positions
Just 16 cars on the grid. This followed another poor grid-setting session for Lewis Hamilton: following his result of twentieth and final in Las Vegas, resulting in an eighth-place finish in the main race, he did not manage to make it out of the first qualifying segment once more on the previous day. The team have as a result made changes to his setup and so he begins from the starting area.
The team's Lance Stroll and the Alpine pair of Pierre Gasly and Colapinto are all doing likewise.
Driver Comments
"We'll use the learning for the next day," states Isack Hadjar, 11th on the grid. There will be a lot of that.
Team Standings
It's not all about the drivers' title: The team have run away with the team championship but Mercedes, with a forty-point advantage over Red Bull, are aiming to secure the runner-up position during this event. George Russell can help them achieve that from the front row, and Antonelli will start just behind the leader.
Past Performance
Piastri was victorious then – as he did the previous season, as well. The driver from McLaren is attempting a third consecutive win.
Short Race Importance
Right, just over twenty minutes to go until the sprint race begins. Unless something goes wrong, it's greatest value is as an indication of what is to come, rather than significant in its itself, with just eight championship points awarded to the victor. Mind you, second place in this race was enough for the driver to become champion two years ago.
Max Verstappen claimed the championship after Pérez crashes out of Qatar GP sprint race.