Qatar Short Race and Main Event Qualifying: Real-Time Updates
Introduction
The author will be here shortly to cover this day's short race (2pm GMT) and grid-setting session (18:00 GMT).
Real-Time Updates
Warm-Up Lap Period
The warm-up lap is underway.
Circuit Details
We have nineteen laps around the lengthiest track in Formula 1, David Croft informs us.
Countdown
The countdown has begun.
Driver Situation
An advantage in Verstappen's favour: his teammate Tsunoda is ahead of him by one place. He is unlikely to challenge the team's lead driver.
Media Conversations
Sky interviewing Sky now: Gary Neville is with Mercedes.
Karun Chandhok is looking forward to the 2026 season, speaking with the engineer about his promotion to Aston Martin lead role.
Starting Positions
There are only 16 cars on the grid. It was another bad qualifying for the driver: following his result of twentieth and final in Las Vegas, leading to an eighth-place finish in the main race, he did not manage to make it out of the first qualifying segment again on Friday. The team have consequently made changes to his car configuration and so he will start from the pit lane.
Aston Martin's Stroll and the Alpine pair of Pierre Gasly and Franco Colapinto are all doing likewise.
Racer Statements
"We take the experience for tomorrow," says Isack Hadjar, starting eleventh. There will be plenty of learning.
Constructors' Championship
The focus isn't solely on the individual championship: The team have dominated the team championship but Mercedes, with a 40-point lead over their rivals, will be hoping to seal second place this weekend. George Russell can assist in this goal from second place, and Kimi Antonelli will start just behind Verstappen.
Previous Results
Oscar Piastri won that day – as he did last year, as well. McLaren's Australian is going for a hat-trick.
Short Race Importance
Right, approximately twenty minutes remaining till the sprint race begins. Barring disaster, its main importance is as a preview of future events, instead of significant in its own right, with just eight championship points awarded to the victor. Mind you, second place in this race was sufficient for Verstappen to claim the title in a prior season.
The driver wins the championship following his teammate's accident of the short race.
