Qatar Short Race and Grand Prix Qualifying: Live Updates
Introduction
The author is about to begin to guide you through this day's short race (2pm GMT) and qualifying (6pm).
Real-Time Updates
Starting Lap Period
The starting lap is underway.
Circuit Details
There are nineteen laps of the longest circuit in F1, David Croft points out.
Final Moments
The last moments is on.
Driver Situation
One point in Verstappen's advantage: his teammate Tsunoda is ahead of him by a single position. He is unlikely to challenge Red Bull's lead driver.
Interview Updates
Sky's internal discussion now: the analyst is at the Mercedes team.
The analyst is jumping ahead to the 2026 season, speaking with the engineer about his promotion to Aston Martin team principal.
Starting Positions
Just 16 cars on the grid. This followed another poor grid-setting session for the driver: after coming 20th and last in Las Vegas, resulting in an eighth-place finish in the grand prix, he failed to advance of the first qualifying segment once more on Friday. Ferrari have consequently made changes to his setup and so he begins from the starting area.
The team's Lance Stroll and the Alpine duo of Pierre Gasly and Franco Colapinto are all doing likewise.
Racer Statements
"We'll use the learning for the next day," states Hadjar, starting eleventh. There will be a lot of that.
Constructors' Championship
It's not all about the individual championship: The team have run away with the team championship but the team, with a forty-point advantage over Red Bull, will be hoping to seal second place this weekend. Russell can help them achieve that from second place, and Kimi Antonelli will start just behind the leader.
Past Performance
Oscar Piastri won that day – as he did the previous season, as well. The driver from McLaren is going for a third consecutive win.
Sprint Race Value
Alright, approximately 20 minutes to go till the short race begins. Barring disaster, it's greatest value is as an indication of what is to come, instead of significant in its own right, with only eight points awarded to the victor. However, second place here was enough for Verstappen to become champion in a prior season.
Max Verstappen wins F1 world title following Pérez crashes out of the short race.
