Qatar Short Race and Main Event Qualifying: Live Updates

Introduction

The author is about to begin to take you through today's sprint race (2pm GMT) and qualifying (6pm).

Live Feed

Warm-Up Lap Period

The warm-up lap is underway.

Track Information

There are 19 laps around the lengthiest track in Formula 1, the commentator points out.

Countdown

The last moments has begun.

Racer Positions

One point in Max Verstappen's advantage: his fellow driver Tsunoda is in front of him by a single position. He is unlikely to mess with the team's main man.

Media Conversations

Sky speaking with Sky currently: the analyst is with Mercedes.

Karun Chandhok is looking forward to 2026, speaking with Adrian Newey about his promotion to Aston Martin lead role.

Grid Details

Just 16 cars on the grid. This followed another poor grid-setting session for Lewis Hamilton: following his result of 20th and last in the previous race, leading to an eighth position in the main race, he failed to advance of Q1 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.

Aston Martin's Stroll and the Alpine duo of Gasly and Colapinto are all starting from the same position.

Racer Statements

"We'll use the experience for the next day," states Isack Hadjar, 11th on the grid. There will be plenty of learning.

Team Standings

It's not all about the drivers' title: The team have dominated the team championship but Mercedes, with a 40-point lead over their rivals, will be hoping to secure the runner-up position this weekend. Russell can assist in this goal from the front row, and Kimi Antonelli will begin immediately after Verstappen.

Past Performance

Piastri won that day – as he did the previous season, too. The driver from McLaren is going for a third consecutive win.

Sprint Race Value

Right, just over 20 minutes remaining until the sprint race begins. Unless something goes wrong, its main importance is as an indication of what is to come, rather than highly important in its itself, with just eight championship points available to the winner. However, the runner-up spot in this race was sufficient for the driver to become champion in a prior season.