Qatar's Short Race and Main Event Qualifying: Live Updates
Introduction
Our correspondent will be here shortly to take you through this day's sprint race (2pm GMT) and grid-setting session (18:00 GMT).
Current Events
Formation Lap Period
The starting lap has begun.
Track Information
There are nineteen laps of the longest circuit in Formula 1, the commentator reminds us.
Final Moments
The final countdown is underway.
Driver Situation
An advantage in Max Verstappen's favour: his teammate Tsunoda is ahead of him by one place. It's improbable to mess with Red Bull's lead driver.
Media Conversations
Sky speaking with Sky now: the analyst is at the Mercedes team.
The analyst is looking forward to the 2026 season, speaking with the engineer about his promotion to the team team principal.
Starting Positions
Just 16 cars on the grid. It was another poor grid-setting session for Lewis Hamilton: after coming twentieth and final 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 the previous day. The team have as a result made changes to his setup and so he begins from the pit lane.
The team's Stroll and the Alpine pair of Pierre Gasly and Colapinto are all doing likewise.
Racer Statements
"We take the experience for the next day," says Isack Hadjar, starting eleventh. There will be plenty of learning.
Constructors' Championship
The focus isn't solely on the drivers' title: The team have dominated the constructors' gong but the team, with a 40-point lead over their rivals, are aiming to seal second place during this event. Russell can help them achieve that from second place, and Antonelli will begin immediately after the leader.
Past Performance
Piastri was victorious then – as he did the previous season, as well. McLaren's Australian is attempting a third consecutive win.
Short Race Importance
Alright, approximately twenty minutes remaining until the short race gets under way. Unless something goes wrong, its main importance is as an indication of future events, rather than highly important in its itself, with only eight points awarded to the winner. Mind you, the runner-up spot in this race was sufficient for Verstappen to become champion in a prior season.
Max Verstappen claimed F1 world title following his teammate's accident of the short race.
