🔗 Share this article Qatar's Short Race and Main Event Qualifying: Live Coverage Preamble The author will be here shortly to take you through today's short race (14:00 GMT) and qualifying (18:00 GMT). Real-Time Updates Warm-Up Lap Time The starting lap is underway. Circuit Details There are nineteen laps around the lengthiest track in Formula 1, David Croft points out. Final Moments The countdown has begun. Driver Situation An advantage in Verstappen's favour: his teammate Tsunoda is in front of him by one place. It's improbable to challenge the team's lead driver. Interview Updates Sky speaking with Sky currently: Gary Neville is with Mercedes. The analyst is looking forward to the 2026 season, speaking with the engineer about his stepping up to the team lead role. Grid Details Just sixteen vehicles on the grid. It was another bad qualifying for Lewis Hamilton: following his result of 20th and last in the previous race, resulting in an eighth position in the grand prix, he failed to advance of Q1 again on the previous day. The team have consequently adjusted to his setup and so he will start from the pit lane. Aston Martin's Lance Stroll and the Alpine pair of Pierre Gasly and Franco Colapinto are all starting from the same position. Driver Comments "We take the learning for tomorrow," states Hadjar, starting eleventh. There will be plenty of learning. Team Standings The focus isn't solely on the drivers' title: McLaren have dominated the constructors' gong but the team, with a 40-point lead over Red Bull, will be hoping to secure the runner-up position this weekend. George Russell can help them achieve that from second place, and Kimi Antonelli will start just behind the leader. Previous Results Piastri was victorious then – as he managed last year, too. The driver from McLaren is attempting a third consecutive win. Short Race Importance Alright, approximately twenty minutes remaining till the short race begins. Unless something goes wrong, its main importance is as a preview of what is to come, rather than significant in its own right, with only eight points awarded to the victor. Mind you, the runner-up spot in this race was enough for the driver to claim the title in a prior season. Max Verstappen wins F1 world title following Pérez crashes out of the short race.