Qatar Short Race and Grand Prix Qualifying: Live Coverage

Preamble

Philip is about to begin to cover this day's short race (2pm GMT) and grid-setting session (18:00 GMT).

Live Feed

Starting Lap Time

The starting lap has started.

Track Information

There are 19 laps of the longest circuit in F1, the commentator reminds us.

Final Moments

The final countdown is on.

Racer Positions

One point in Max Verstappen's favour: his teammate Yuki Tsunoda is ahead of him by a single position. It's improbable to challenge Red Bull's lead driver.

Interview Updates

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

The analyst is looking forward to the 2026 season, speaking with the engineer about his promotion to the team lead role.

Grid Details

There are only 16 cars on the grid. It was another poor grid-setting session for the driver: after coming 20th and last in the previous race, leading to an eighth-place finish in the main race, he failed to make it out of Q1 once more on Friday. Ferrari have as a result adjusted to his car configuration and so he will start from the pit lane.

The team's Stroll and the Alpine pair of Gasly and Colapinto are all starting from the same position.

Racer Statements

"We take the learning for the next day," states Hadjar, 11th on the grid. Expect a lot of that.

Team Standings

The focus isn't solely on the drivers' title: The team have run away with the constructors' gong but the team, with a forty-point advantage over Red Bull, are aiming to seal second place during this event. George Russell can help them achieve that from second place, and Antonelli will begin immediately after Verstappen.

Past Performance

Oscar Piastri won that day – as he did last year, too. The driver from McLaren is attempting a hat-trick.

Short Race Importance

Alright, approximately twenty minutes to go till the short race gets under way. Barring disaster, it's greatest value is as an indication of what is to come, instead of highly important in its itself, with just eight championship points available to the winner. However, the runner-up spot in this race was sufficient for Verstappen to claim the title two years ago.

Max Verstappen claimed the championship following his teammate's accident of the short race.