Qatar's Short Race and Grand Prix Qualifying: Real-Time Coverage
Introduction
Philip will be here shortly to take you through this day's sprint race (2pm GMT) and grid-setting session (18:00 GMT).
Live Feed
Warm-Up Lap Period
The warm-up lap has started.
Track Information
There are nineteen laps of the longest circuit in Formula 1, David Croft reminds us.
Countdown
The countdown is on.
Racer Positions
An advantage in Verstappen's favour: his fellow driver Tsunoda is in front of him by one place. It's improbable to mess with Red Bull's main man.
Media Conversations
Sky speaking with Sky now: Gary Neville is at the Mercedes team.
The analyst is looking forward to 2026, speaking with Adrian Newey about his stepping up to the team team principal.
Starting Positions
Just 16 cars on the grid. This followed another poor grid-setting session for the driver: 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 once more on Friday. Ferrari have consequently made changes to his car configuration and so he begins from the starting area.
Aston Martin's Stroll and the Alpine pair of Pierre Gasly and Colapinto are all doing likewise.
Driver Comments
"We take the experience for the next day," states Hadjar, starting eleventh. There will be a lot of that.
Team Standings
It's not all about the individual championship: 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 during this event. George Russell can assist in this goal from the front row, and Kimi Antonelli will start just behind Verstappen.
Previous Results
Oscar Piastri was victorious then – as he managed last year, as well. McLaren's Australian is going for a third consecutive win.
Short Race Importance
Alright, just over twenty minutes remaining till the sprint race begins. Unless something goes wrong, its main importance is as an indication of what is to come, rather than highly important in its own right, with only eight points available to the victor. However, second place in this race was enough for the driver to become champion two years ago.
Max Verstappen wins the championship following his teammate's accident of the short race.
