Qatar's Short Race and Main Event Qualifying: Live Updates
Preamble
The author is about to begin to take you through today's sprint race (2pm GMT) and grid-setting session (6pm).
Current Events
Starting Lap Time
The warm-up lap is underway.
Circuit Details
We have nineteen laps of the longest circuit in Formula 1, the commentator reminds us.
Countdown
The countdown is on.
Driver Situation
One point in Max Verstappen's advantage: his fellow driver Tsunoda is ahead of him by one place. It's improbable to interfere with the team's lead driver.
Media Conversations
Sky's internal discussion now: Gary Neville is with Mercedes.
The analyst is looking forward to the 2026 season, speaking with the engineer about his stepping up to the team team principal.
Grid Details
There are only 16 cars on the grid. It was another poor grid-setting session for Lewis Hamilton: following his result of twentieth and final in the previous race, leading to an eighth position in the main race, he failed to make it out of the first qualifying segment again on the previous day. Ferrari have as a result made changes to his car configuration and so he begins from the pit lane.
Aston Martin's Lance Stroll and the Alpine pair of Gasly and Colapinto are all starting from the same position.
Driver Comments
"We take the learning for the next day," says Isack Hadjar, 11th on the grid. Expect plenty of learning.
Team Standings
It's not all about the drivers' title: The team have dominated the constructors' gong but the team, with a 40-point lead over Red Bull, will be hoping to secure the runner-up position during this event. 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 managed last year, as well. McLaren's Australian is attempting a third consecutive win.
Short Race Importance
Alright, approximately twenty minutes to go till the short race begins. Barring disaster, its main importance is as a preview of future events, instead of significant in its itself, with just eight championship points awarded to the victor. Mind you, second place in this race was enough for Verstappen to claim the title two years ago.
Max Verstappen wins the championship after PĂ©rez crashes out of the short race.
