Qatar's Short Race and Grand Prix Qualifying: Real-Time Coverage
Preamble
The author will be here shortly to cover this day's short race (2pm GMT) and qualifying (6pm).
Current Events
Formation Lap Period
The starting lap has begun.
Track Information
We have nineteen laps around the lengthiest track in F1, David Croft reminds us.
Countdown
The final countdown is underway.
Racer Positions
An advantage in Verstappen's advantage: his fellow driver Yuki Tsunoda is in front of him by a single position. He is unlikely to challenge the team's main man.
Media Conversations
Sky's internal discussion now: the analyst is with Mercedes.
Karun Chandhok is looking forward to 2026, speaking with the engineer about his stepping up to Aston Martin lead role.
Starting Positions
Just 16 cars on the grid. It was another bad qualifying for the driver: after coming 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 Friday. The team have consequently adjusted to his setup and so he will start from the starting area.
The team's Lance Stroll and the Alpine pair of Gasly and Franco Colapinto are all starting from the same position.
Driver Comments
"We'll use the learning for the next day," states Hadjar, 11th on the grid. There will be a lot of that.
Team Standings
The focus isn't solely on the drivers' title: McLaren have run away with the constructors' gong but the team, with a forty-point advantage over their rivals, are aiming 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.
Previous Results
Oscar Piastri won that day – as he managed the previous season, too. McLaren's Australian is going for a hat-trick.
Sprint Race Value
Alright, just over twenty minutes remaining till the sprint race begins. Unless something goes wrong, it's greatest value is as an indication of what is to come, rather than highly important in its itself, with only eight points awarded to the victor. However, second place in this race was sufficient for the driver to become champion in a prior season.
Max Verstappen claimed the championship after PĂ©rez crashes out of Qatar GP sprint race.
