Qatar's Short Race and Main Event Qualifying: Real-Time Coverage
Introduction
The author is about to begin to cover this day's short race (2pm GMT) and qualifying (6pm).
Live Feed
Warm-Up Lap Period
The starting lap is underway.
Circuit Details
There are nineteen laps around the lengthiest track in Formula One, David Croft points out.
Countdown
The countdown has begun.
Racer Positions
One point in Max Verstappen's advantage: his fellow driver Yuki Tsunoda is ahead of him by one place. He is unlikely to mess with Red Bull's main man.
Media Conversations
Sky speaking with Sky currently: Gary Neville is at the Mercedes team.
Karun Chandhok is jumping ahead to 2026, speaking with the engineer about his stepping up to the team lead role.
Starting Positions
Just 16 cars on the grid. It was another bad qualifying for Lewis Hamilton: following his result of 20th and last in the previous race, resulting in an eighth-place finish in the grand prix, he did not manage to make it out of the first qualifying segment again on the previous day. The team have consequently adjusted to his car configuration and so he begins from the starting area.
Aston Martin's Lance Stroll and the Alpine duo of Pierre Gasly and Franco Colapinto are all starting from the same position.
Driver Comments
"We take the learning for the next day," states Isack Hadjar, starting eleventh. There will be plenty of learning.
Constructors' Championship
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 seal second place this weekend. George 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, as well. The driver from McLaren is going for a hat-trick.
Short Race Importance
Alright, approximately twenty minutes remaining till the sprint race begins. Unless something goes wrong, its main importance is as a preview of what is to come, instead of highly important in its itself, with just eight championship points awarded to the winner. Mind you, second place here was enough for Verstappen to claim the title two years ago.
Max Verstappen wins the championship after his teammate's accident of Qatar GP sprint race.