Qatar's Short Race and Grand Prix Qualifying: Real-Time Coverage
Opening Notes
Philip is about to begin to guide you through this day's sprint race (14:00 GMT) and grid-setting session (6pm).
Live Feed
Starting Lap Time
The starting lap has started.
Track Information
We have 19 laps of the longest circuit in Formula One, David Croft informs us.
Countdown
The last moments is underway.
Racer Positions
One point in Verstappen's favour: his teammate Tsunoda is ahead of him by a single position. It's improbable to mess with the team's lead driver.
Interview Updates
Sky interviewing Sky currently: the analyst is at the Mercedes team.
Karun Chandhok is jumping ahead to the 2026 season, speaking with the engineer about his stepping up to the team team principal.
Starting Positions
Just sixteen vehicles on the grid. It was another poor grid-setting session for Lewis Hamilton: after coming twentieth and final in the previous race, leading to an eighth position in the main race, he did not manage to advance of Q1 again on Friday. The team have as a result made changes to his setup and so he will start from the pit lane.
The team's Lance Stroll and the Alpine duo of Pierre Gasly and Colapinto are all starting from the same position.
Driver Comments
"We take the learning for tomorrow," says Isack Hadjar, starting eleventh. Expect plenty of learning.
Constructors' Championship
The focus isn't solely on the individual championship: The team have dominated the team championship but Mercedes, with a 40-point lead over their rivals, will be hoping to seal second place this weekend. Russell can help them achieve that from second place, and Antonelli will begin immediately after Verstappen.
Past Performance
Oscar Piastri was victorious then – as he did last year, too. McLaren's Australian is attempting a third consecutive win.
Short Race Importance
Alright, just over twenty minutes remaining until the sprint race begins. Barring disaster, it's greatest value is as an indication of future events, rather than highly important in its itself, with just eight championship points awarded to the winner. Mind you, second place here was sufficient for Verstappen to become champion in a prior season.
The driver claimed the championship after Pérez crashes out of the short race.
