Qatar Short Race and Main Event Qualifying: Real-Time Updates

Opening Notes

Our correspondent will be here shortly to guide you through today's short race (14:00 GMT) and qualifying (18:00 GMT).

Current Events

Formation Lap Time

The formation lap is underway.

Track Information

We have nineteen laps of the longest circuit in Formula One, David Croft points out.

Final Moments

The final countdown is on.

Driver Situation

One point in Verstappen's favour: his fellow driver Yuki Tsunoda is ahead of him by one place. It's improbable to mess with the team's main man.

Interview Updates

Sky speaking with Sky now: the analyst is with Mercedes.

The analyst is looking forward to 2026, speaking with the engineer about his stepping up to Aston Martin lead role.

Grid Details

Just 16 cars on the grid. This followed another bad qualifying for the driver: after coming twentieth and final in the previous race, leading to an eighth position in the grand prix, he failed to make it out of the first qualifying segment again on Friday. Ferrari have as a result adjusted to his car configuration and so he will start from the starting area.

The team's Stroll and the Alpine duo of Pierre Gasly and Colapinto are all doing likewise.

Racer Statements

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

Constructors' Championship

It's not all about the drivers' title: McLaren have run away with the constructors' gong but Mercedes, with a forty-point advantage over their rivals, will be hoping to secure the runner-up position this weekend. Russell can assist in this goal from the front row, and Kimi Antonelli will start just behind Verstappen.

Previous Results

Oscar Piastri was victorious then – as he did last year, too. The driver from McLaren is going for a hat-trick.

Sprint Race Value

Alright, just over twenty minutes to go until the sprint race gets under way. Barring disaster, 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, the runner-up spot in this race was sufficient for Verstappen to become champion two years ago.

The driver wins the championship following Pérez crashes out of the short race.