Qatar's Short Race and Main Event Qualifying: Live Updates

Preamble

Philip is about to begin to take you through today's short race (14:00 GMT) and grid-setting session (6pm).

Live Feed

Formation Lap Period

The formation lap is underway.

Track Information

We have nineteen laps around the lengthiest track in F1, the commentator informs us.

Final Moments

The final countdown has begun.

Racer Positions

An advantage in Verstappen's favour: his fellow driver Tsunoda is in front of him by a single position. It's improbable to mess with the team's lead driver.

Media Conversations

Sky's internal discussion currently: Gary Neville is with Mercedes.

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

Starting Positions

Just 16 cars on the grid. It was another poor grid-setting session for Lewis Hamilton: following his result of twentieth and final in Las Vegas, leading to an eighth-place finish in the grand prix, he did not manage to advance of the first qualifying segment once more on the previous day. The team have as a result adjusted to his car configuration and so he will start from the starting area.

Aston Martin's Lance Stroll and the Alpine pair of Gasly and Franco Colapinto are all doing likewise.

Racer Statements

"We'll use the experience for tomorrow," says Hadjar, starting eleventh. There will be plenty of learning.

Constructors' Championship

It's not all about the individual championship: The team have run away with the constructors' gong but the team, with a forty-point advantage over their rivals, are aiming to seal second place this weekend. George Russell can help them achieve that from the front row, and Kimi Antonelli will start just behind Verstappen.

Previous Results

Oscar Piastri was victorious then – as he did last year, as well. McLaren's Australian is attempting a hat-trick.

Short Race Importance

Right, just over twenty minutes remaining until the short race begins. Unless something goes wrong, its main importance is as a preview of what is to come, rather than significant in its own right, with only eight points awarded to the victor. However, second place in this race was sufficient for the driver to become champion two years ago.

The driver claimed F1 world title following Pérez crashes out of Qatar GP sprint race.