Qatar Short Race and Grand Prix Qualifying: Real-Time Updates
Introduction
Philip is about to begin to take you through today's short race (14:00 GMT) and qualifying (18:00 GMT).
Real-Time Updates
Formation Lap Time
The starting lap has started.
Track Information
We have nineteen laps around the lengthiest track in Formula 1, David Croft informs us.
Final Moments
The final countdown has begun.
Driver Situation
An advantage in Verstappen's favour: his fellow driver Tsunoda is ahead of him by a single position. It's improbable to mess with the team's main man.
Interview Updates
Sky's internal discussion now: Gary Neville is with Mercedes.
The analyst is jumping ahead to 2026, speaking with the engineer about his promotion to Aston Martin team principal.
Starting Positions
Just sixteen vehicles on the grid. It was another bad qualifying for the driver: after coming twentieth and final in Las Vegas, resulting in an eighth position in the main race, he failed to make it out of the first qualifying segment once more on Friday. The team have as a result made changes to his setup and so he begins from the starting area.
Aston Martin's Lance Stroll and the Alpine duo of Gasly and Franco Colapinto are all doing likewise.
Driver Comments
"We'll use the learning for tomorrow," says Hadjar, 11th on the grid. Expect plenty of learning.
Team Standings
It's not all about the individual championship: McLaren have dominated the constructors' gong but Mercedes, with a forty-point advantage over Red Bull, are aiming to secure the runner-up position this weekend. George Russell can assist in this goal from the front row, and Kimi Antonelli will begin immediately after Verstappen.
Previous Results
Piastri won that day – as he managed the previous season, too. McLaren's Australian is attempting a third consecutive win.
Short Race Importance
Right, approximately twenty minutes to go till the short race begins. Unless something goes wrong, it's greatest value is as an indication of future events, rather than significant in its itself, with only eight points awarded to the winner. Mind you, second place here was enough for the driver to become champion two years ago.
Max Verstappen wins F1 world title following his teammate's accident of the short race.
