Qatar's Short Race and Main Event Qualifying: Live Updates
Introduction
The author is about to begin to take you through this day's short race (14:00 GMT) and grid-setting session (18:00 GMT).
Current Events
Formation Lap Period
The starting lap has begun.
Circuit Details
There are nineteen laps around the lengthiest track in F1, the commentator informs us.
Final Moments
The last moments is on.
Driver Situation
One point in Max Verstappen's favour: his fellow driver Tsunoda is ahead of him by a single position. He is unlikely to challenge Red Bull's lead driver.
Interview Updates
Sky's internal discussion now: the analyst is at the Mercedes team.
Karun Chandhok is jumping ahead to 2026, speaking with the engineer about his promotion to Aston Martin team principal.
Grid Details
Just 16 cars on the grid. This followed another poor grid-setting session for Lewis Hamilton: following his result of twentieth and final in Las Vegas, resulting in an eighth-place finish in the grand prix, he failed to advance of the first qualifying segment again on the previous day. Ferrari have as a result adjusted to his setup and so he will start from the starting area.
Aston Martin's Lance Stroll and the Alpine pair of Pierre Gasly and Franco Colapinto are all starting from the same position.
Racer Statements
"We'll use the learning for the next day," says Isack Hadjar, 11th on the grid. Expect 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 Red Bull, are aiming to secure the runner-up position during this event. George Russell can help them achieve that from second place, and Antonelli will begin immediately after the leader.
Past Performance
Piastri was victorious then – as he managed the previous season, too. McLaren's Australian is attempting a hat-trick.
Short Race Importance
Alright, just over twenty minutes remaining until the short race begins. Unless something goes wrong, it's greatest value is as a preview of future events, instead of significant in its own right, with just eight championship points available to the winner. Mind you, second place here was sufficient for the driver to claim the title in a prior season.
Max Verstappen wins the championship after his teammate's accident of the short race.
