Qatar's Short Race and Main Event Qualifying: Live Updates
Opening Notes
Our correspondent is arriving soon to take you through this day's short race (14:00 GMT) and qualifying (6pm).
Live Feed
Starting Lap Period
The warm-up lap is underway.
Track Information
We have nineteen laps of the longest circuit in Formula One, David Croft reminds us.
Countdown
The final countdown is on.
Racer Positions
One point in Verstappen's advantage: his teammate Yuki Tsunoda is in front of him by a single position. It's improbable to challenge the team's lead driver.
Interview Updates
Sky interviewing Sky now: Gary Neville is at the Mercedes team.
The analyst is jumping ahead to the 2026 season, speaking with Adrian Newey about his stepping up to Aston Martin team principal.
Grid Details
There are only 16 cars on the grid. It was another poor grid-setting session for the driver: following his result of 20th and last in Las Vegas, resulting in an eighth position in the main race, he failed to advance of the first qualifying segment again on Friday. Ferrari have as a result adjusted to his car configuration and so he begins from the starting area.
The team's Lance Stroll and the Alpine duo of Pierre Gasly and Colapinto are all doing likewise.
Racer Statements
"We'll use the learning for the next day," states Isack Hadjar, 11th on the grid. Expect a lot of that.
Constructors' Championship
It's not all about the individual championship: McLaren have run away with the constructors' gong but the team, with a forty-point advantage over their rivals, will be hoping to seal second place during this event. George Russell can help them achieve that from second place, and Kimi Antonelli will start just behind Verstappen.
Previous Results
Piastri was victorious then – as he managed the previous season, as well. McLaren's Australian is attempting a hat-trick.
Short Race Importance
Right, approximately twenty minutes remaining till the short race begins. Unless something goes wrong, it's greatest value is as a preview of future events, instead of significant in its itself, with just eight championship points awarded to the victor. Mind you, second place in this race was sufficient for Verstappen to become champion in a prior season.
Max Verstappen wins the championship following Pérez crashes out of the short race.
