Qatar's Short Race and Grand Prix Qualifying: Live Coverage
Preamble
The author is about to begin to take you through this day's short race (2pm GMT) and grid-setting session (18:00 GMT).
Real-Time Updates
Starting Lap Period
The formation lap is underway.
Circuit Details
We have nineteen laps around the lengthiest track in F1, David Croft reminds us.
Final Moments
The last moments is on.
Racer Positions
An advantage in Max Verstappen's advantage: his fellow driver Tsunoda is ahead of him by one place. It's improbable to challenge Red Bull's lead driver.
Interview Updates
Sky speaking with Sky currently: the analyst is with Mercedes.
The analyst is jumping ahead to the 2026 season, speaking with the engineer about his stepping up to Aston Martin team principal.
Grid Details
There are only 16 cars on the grid. This followed another bad qualifying for Lewis Hamilton: following his result of 20th and last in Las Vegas, resulting in an eighth position in the main race, he failed to make it out of the first qualifying segment again on the previous day. Ferrari have consequently made changes to his car configuration and so he begins from the pit lane.
Aston Martin's Lance Stroll and the Alpine duo of Gasly and Franco Colapinto are all doing likewise.
Driver Comments
"We'll use the experience for tomorrow," says Isack Hadjar, starting eleventh. Expect a lot of that.
Constructors' Championship
It's not all about the drivers' title: McLaren have dominated the team championship but the team, with a 40-point lead over their rivals, are aiming to secure the runner-up position this weekend. George Russell can assist in this goal from second place, and Antonelli will start just behind Verstappen.
Past Performance
Oscar Piastri was victorious then – as he managed last year, as well. The driver from McLaren is going for a hat-trick.
Short Race Importance
Right, just over twenty minutes remaining until the sprint race begins. Unless something goes wrong, its main importance is as an indication of future events, instead of highly important in its itself, with just eight championship points available to the winner. Mind you, the runner-up spot here was sufficient for Verstappen to become champion two years ago.
Max Verstappen wins F1 world title following his teammate's accident of Qatar GP sprint race.
