Qatar's Short Race and Grand Prix Qualifying: Live Coverage

Preamble

Our correspondent is arriving soon to cover today's short race (2pm GMT) and grid-setting session (6pm).

Real-Time Updates

Starting Lap Time

The formation lap is underway.

Track Information

There are nineteen laps around the lengthiest track in Formula One, David Croft informs us.

Final Moments

The final countdown has begun.

Driver Situation

An advantage in Max Verstappen's favour: his teammate Yuki Tsunoda is ahead of him by a single position. It's improbable to interfere with Red Bull's lead driver.

Media Conversations

Sky interviewing Sky currently: Gary Neville is with Mercedes.

The analyst is jumping ahead to the 2026 season, speaking with Adrian Newey about his stepping up to the team lead role.

Starting Positions

Just 16 cars on the grid. This followed another poor grid-setting session for Lewis Hamilton: after coming 20th and last in Las Vegas, resulting in an eighth-place finish in the main race, he did not manage to make it out of Q1 once more on the previous day. Ferrari have as a result adjusted to his setup and so he will start from the starting area.

The team's Stroll and the Alpine pair of Pierre Gasly and Franco Colapinto are all starting from the same position.

Racer Statements

"We'll use the experience for tomorrow," says Hadjar, 11th on the grid. There will be a lot of that.

Constructors' Championship

The focus isn't solely on the individual championship: The team have run away with the constructors' gong but the team, with a 40-point lead over their rivals, are aiming to seal second place this weekend. George Russell can assist in this goal from second place, and Kimi Antonelli will start just behind the leader.

Previous Results

Piastri was victorious then – as he managed last year, too. McLaren's Australian is attempting a third consecutive win.

Sprint Race Value

Right, just over twenty minutes remaining until the sprint race gets under way. Unless something goes wrong, it's greatest value is as an indication of what is to come, rather than significant in its itself, with just eight championship points available to the victor. However, second place in this race was enough for the driver to become champion in a prior season.

Max Verstappen claimed F1 world title after his teammate's accident of Qatar GP sprint race.