Qatar's Short Race and Main Event Qualifying: Live Coverage
Opening Notes
Our correspondent is arriving soon to cover today's short race (2pm GMT) and grid-setting session (6pm).
Real-Time Updates
Warm-Up Lap Period
The formation lap has begun.
Track Information
There are nineteen laps of the longest circuit in Formula One, David Croft points out.
Countdown
The last moments is underway.
Driver Situation
One point in Max Verstappen's advantage: his teammate Yuki Tsunoda is in front of him by a single position. He is unlikely to interfere with the team's lead driver.
Media Conversations
Sky speaking with Sky now: the analyst is at the Mercedes team.
Karun Chandhok is looking forward to the 2026 season, interviewing the engineer 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 the driver: following his result of 20th and last in the previous race, leading to an eighth-place finish in the grand prix, he did not manage to advance of the first qualifying segment again on Friday. The team have as a result made changes to his setup and so he will start from the starting area.
Aston Martin's Stroll and the Alpine pair of Gasly and Franco Colapinto are all doing likewise.
Driver Comments
"We take the experience for tomorrow," says Isack Hadjar, starting eleventh. There will be a lot of that.
Constructors' Championship
The focus isn't solely on the individual championship: McLaren have dominated the team championship but Mercedes, with a 40-point lead over their rivals, will be hoping to secure the runner-up position during this event. Russell can help them achieve that from the front row, and Kimi Antonelli will begin immediately after the leader.
Past Performance
Oscar Piastri won that day β as he managed last year, too. McLaren's Australian is going for a third consecutive win.
Short Race Importance
Alright, just over 20 minutes remaining 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 own right, with just eight championship points awarded to the victor. However, the runner-up spot in this race was enough for the driver to become champion two years ago.
Max Verstappen wins the championship after his teammate's accident of the short race.
