Qatar Short Race and Main Event Qualifying: Live Coverage
Introduction
Our correspondent will be here shortly to guide you through today's sprint race (2pm GMT) and qualifying (6pm).
Real-Time Updates
Starting Lap Time
The starting lap is underway.
Track Information
We have 19 laps of the longest circuit in Formula 1, David Croft informs us.
Final Moments
The last moments is on.
Driver Situation
An advantage in Verstappen's favour: his teammate Tsunoda is in front of him by one place. He is unlikely to challenge the team's lead driver.
Interview Updates
Sky interviewing Sky currently: the analyst is with Mercedes.
Karun Chandhok is looking forward to the 2026 season, interviewing Adrian Newey about his promotion to the team lead role.
Grid Details
Just 16 cars on the grid. It was another bad qualifying for the driver: following his result of 20th and last in the previous race, leading to an eighth-place finish in the grand prix, he failed to make it out of Q1 once more on Friday. Ferrari have as a result adjusted to his car configuration and so he will start from the pit lane.
Aston Martin's Stroll and the Alpine duo of Gasly and Franco Colapinto are all starting from the same position.
Driver Comments
"We'll use the learning for the next day," states Isack Hadjar, 11th on the grid. There will be a lot of that.
Constructors' Championship
It's not all about the individual championship: McLaren have run away with the team championship but Mercedes, with a 40-point lead over their rivals, are aiming to seal second place this weekend. George Russell can help them achieve that from second place, and Kimi Antonelli will start just behind Verstappen.
Previous Results
Piastri was victorious then – as he managed last year, as well. The driver from McLaren is going for a hat-trick.
Sprint Race Value
Alright, just over 20 minutes remaining till the short race gets under way. 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 available to the victor. Mind you, second place in this race was sufficient for Verstappen to claim the title two years ago.
The driver claimed the championship after his teammate's accident of the short race.
