Qatar's Short Race and Grand Prix Qualifying: Real-Time Coverage

Preamble

The author is arriving soon to take you through this day's short race (2pm GMT) and qualifying (6pm).

Real-Time Updates

Starting Lap Time

The formation lap has started.

Track Information

We have nineteen laps of the longest circuit in F1, David Croft informs us.

Final Moments

The last moments is underway.

Racer Positions

An advantage in Max Verstappen's favour: his teammate Yuki Tsunoda is ahead of him by a single position. He is unlikely to challenge the team's main man.

Interview Updates

Sky interviewing Sky currently: the analyst is with Mercedes.

The analyst is jumping ahead to the 2026 season, interviewing Adrian Newey about his stepping up to the team team principal.

Grid Details

There are only sixteen vehicles on the grid. It was another bad qualifying for Lewis Hamilton: following his result of 20th and last in Las Vegas, resulting in an eighth-place finish in the grand prix, he failed to make it out of Q1 again on the previous day. The team have consequently made changes to his setup and so he will start from the starting area.

The team's Lance Stroll and the Alpine pair of Pierre Gasly and Franco Colapinto are all starting from the same position.

Racer Statements

"We take the experience for tomorrow," says Hadjar, starting eleventh. Expect a lot of that.

Constructors' Championship

The focus isn't solely on the individual championship: McLaren have run away with the constructors' gong but the team, with a forty-point advantage over their rivals, will be hoping to seal second place this weekend. Russell can assist in this goal from second place, and Antonelli will start just behind Verstappen.

Past Performance

Oscar Piastri won that day – as he managed last year, too. McLaren's Australian is attempting a third consecutive win.

Sprint Race Value

Right, just over 20 minutes remaining till the sprint race begins. Barring disaster, its main importance is as an indication of future events, rather than significant in its itself, with only eight points available to the victor. Mind you, the runner-up spot in this race was enough for the driver to become champion in a prior season.

The driver claimed F1 world title after his teammate's accident of Qatar GP sprint race.