Qatar's Short Race and Grand Prix Qualifying: Live Coverage
Preamble
Our correspondent will be here shortly to cover today's short race (2pm GMT) and grid-setting session (18:00 GMT).
Real-Time Updates
Starting Lap Time
The starting lap has started.
Circuit Details
There are 19 laps around the lengthiest track in Formula One, the commentator informs us.
Countdown
The last moments is on.
Racer Positions
An advantage in Verstappen's advantage: his fellow driver Yuki Tsunoda is ahead of him by a single position. It's improbable to interfere with Red Bull's main man.
Media Conversations
Sky interviewing Sky currently: the analyst is at the Mercedes team.
The analyst is looking forward to 2026, speaking with Adrian Newey about his stepping up to Aston Martin team principal.
Grid Details
There are only sixteen vehicles on the grid. It was another bad qualifying for Lewis Hamilton: after coming 20th and last in Las Vegas, resulting in an eighth-place finish in the grand prix, he failed to make it out of the first qualifying segment once more on Friday. The team have as a result adjusted to his car configuration and so he begins from the starting area.
Aston Martin's Lance Stroll and the Alpine pair of Gasly and Colapinto are all starting from the same position.
Racer Statements
"We'll use the experience for tomorrow," states Isack Hadjar, starting eleventh. There will be a lot of that.
Constructors' Championship
The focus isn't solely on the individual championship: The team have dominated the constructors' gong but Mercedes, with a 40-point lead over Red Bull, are aiming to secure the runner-up position during this event. George Russell can assist in this goal from second place, and Antonelli will start just behind Verstappen.
Past Performance
Oscar Piastri was victorious then – as he did last year, too. McLaren's Australian is going for a hat-trick.
Short Race Importance
Alright, approximately twenty minutes remaining till the short race gets under way. Barring disaster, its main importance is as a preview of future events, instead of significant in its itself, with only eight points awarded to the victor. Mind you, second place in this race was enough for Verstappen to claim the title in a prior season.
The driver wins F1 world title following PĂ©rez crashes out of the short race.
