Qatar Short Race and Grand Prix Qualifying: Live Coverage

Opening Notes

Our correspondent is arriving soon to take you through today's short race (2pm GMT) and qualifying (6pm).

Real-Time Updates

Formation Lap Period

The formation lap has started.

Track Information

We have 19 laps around the lengthiest track in F1, David Croft informs us.

Countdown

The last moments is on.

Driver Situation

One point in Verstappen's advantage: his teammate Tsunoda is ahead of him by a single position. It's improbable to interfere with the team's lead driver.

Media Conversations

Sky speaking with Sky currently: Gary Neville is at the Mercedes team.

The analyst is jumping ahead to the 2026 season, interviewing the engineer about his stepping up to Aston Martin lead role.

Starting Positions

Just 16 cars on the grid. It was another poor grid-setting session for Lewis Hamilton: after coming 20th and last in the previous race, leading to an eighth position in the grand prix, he did not manage to advance of the first qualifying segment once more on Friday. Ferrari have as a result made changes to his car configuration and so he will start from the pit lane.

The team's Stroll and the Alpine duo of Gasly and Franco Colapinto are all doing likewise.

Driver Comments

"We'll use the learning for tomorrow," states Hadjar, starting eleventh. There will be a lot of that.

Constructors' Championship

It's not all about the drivers' title: The team have run away with the constructors' gong but Mercedes, with a forty-point advantage over their rivals, are aiming to secure the runner-up position during this event. Russell can help them achieve that from the front row, and Antonelli will start just behind Verstappen.

Past Performance

Piastri was victorious then – as he did last year, as well. McLaren's Australian is going for a third consecutive win.

Short Race Importance

Right, approximately twenty minutes to go until the sprint race gets under way. Unless something goes wrong, its main importance is as an indication of what is to come, instead of highly important in its itself, with just eight championship points available to the victor. Mind you, the runner-up spot here was sufficient for the driver to become champion two years ago.

Max Verstappen claimed the championship following his teammate's accident of Qatar GP sprint race.