Qatar's Short Race and Grand Prix Qualifying: Live Coverage
Preamble
Philip is about to begin to guide you through today's short race (14:00 GMT) and grid-setting session (18:00 GMT).
Real-Time Updates
Formation Lap Time
The warm-up lap is underway.
Circuit Details
There are nineteen laps of the longest circuit in F1, the commentator points out.
Countdown
The final countdown has begun.
Racer Positions
One point in Max Verstappen's favour: his teammate Yuki Tsunoda is in front of him by one place. It's improbable to interfere with Red Bull's lead driver.
Media Conversations
Sky speaking with Sky currently: Gary Neville is with Mercedes.
Karun Chandhok is jumping ahead to 2026, speaking with the engineer about his promotion to the team team principal.
Starting Positions
Just sixteen vehicles on the grid. This followed another bad qualifying for Lewis Hamilton: following his result of twentieth and final in the previous race, leading to an eighth position in the main race, he failed to advance of Q1 again on Friday. Ferrari have consequently adjusted to his car configuration and so he will start from the starting area.
Aston Martin's Lance Stroll and the Alpine pair of Pierre Gasly and Colapinto are all doing likewise.
Driver Comments
"We'll use the learning for tomorrow," states Hadjar, starting eleventh. Expect a lot of that.
Team Standings
It's not all about the drivers' title: McLaren have run away with the constructors' gong but Mercedes, with a 40-point lead over Red Bull, will be hoping to secure the runner-up position during this event. George Russell can help them achieve that from the front row, and Antonelli will begin immediately after the leader.
Previous Results
Piastri won that day – as he did the previous season, too. McLaren's Australian is attempting a hat-trick.
Sprint Race Value
Alright, just over 20 minutes remaining until the short race begins. Barring disaster, its main importance is as a preview of what is to come, instead of significant in its own right, with only eight points available to the victor. Mind you, the runner-up spot in this race was enough for Verstappen to become champion in a prior season.
Max Verstappen claimed the championship following his teammate's accident of Qatar GP sprint race.
