🔗 Share this article Qatar Short Race and Grand Prix Qualifying: Real-Time Coverage Introduction Philip is arriving soon to guide you through today's short race (2pm GMT) and qualifying (18:00 GMT). Real-Time Updates Warm-Up Lap Period The formation lap has started. Circuit Details We have nineteen laps of the longest circuit in Formula 1, the commentator reminds us. Countdown The final countdown is underway. 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 interfere with the team's main man. Media Conversations Sky's internal discussion currently: the analyst is with Mercedes. Karun Chandhok is looking forward to 2026, interviewing Adrian Newey about his stepping up to the team lead role. Grid Details Just 16 cars on the grid. It was another bad qualifying for Lewis Hamilton: following his result of twentieth and final in the previous race, leading to an eighth-place finish in the main race, he did not manage to make it out of Q1 once more on Friday. Ferrari have as a result made changes to his car configuration and so he will start from the starting area. The team's Stroll and the Alpine duo of Gasly and Colapinto are all starting from the same position. Racer Statements "We take the learning for tomorrow," states Isack Hadjar, 11th on the grid. There will be a lot of that. Constructors' Championship The focus isn't solely on the individual championship: McLaren have run away with the constructors' gong but Mercedes, with a forty-point advantage over their rivals, are aiming to seal second place this weekend. George Russell can assist in this goal from second place, and Antonelli will begin immediately after Verstappen. Past Performance Piastri won that day – as he did last year, as well. McLaren's Australian is attempting a hat-trick. Sprint Race Value Alright, just over twenty minutes remaining till the short race gets under way. Barring disaster, its main importance is as a preview of future events, rather than significant in its itself, with only eight points available to the victor. However, the runner-up spot here was enough for the driver to become champion two years ago. Max Verstappen claimed the championship following his teammate's accident of Qatar GP sprint race.