Qatar Short Race and Main Event Qualifying: Live Coverage
Opening Notes
The author is about to begin to take you through this day's sprint race (14:00 GMT) and qualifying (18:00 GMT).
Live Feed
Warm-Up Lap Period
The warm-up lap is underway.
Track Information
We have nineteen laps of the longest circuit in Formula One, the commentator informs us.
Countdown
The final countdown has begun.
Racer Positions
One point in Max Verstappen's favour: his teammate Tsunoda is ahead of him by a single position. It's improbable to interfere with Red Bull's lead driver.
Interview Updates
Sky speaking with Sky now: Gary Neville is with Mercedes.
Karun Chandhok is jumping ahead to 2026, interviewing Adrian Newey about his promotion to the team lead role.
Grid Details
Just sixteen vehicles on the grid. It was another poor grid-setting session for the driver: following his result of 20th and last in the previous race, resulting in an eighth-place finish in the main race, he failed to advance of Q1 once more on Friday. The team have consequently made changes to his car configuration and so he will start from the starting area.
Aston Martin's Stroll and the Alpine duo of Pierre Gasly and Franco Colapinto are all doing likewise.
Driver Comments
"We take the experience for tomorrow," states Hadjar, starting eleventh. Expect plenty of learning.
Team Standings
It's not all about the individual championship: The team have dominated the constructors' gong but the team, with a forty-point advantage over their rivals, are aiming to seal second place during this event. George Russell can help them achieve that from the front row, and Kimi Antonelli will begin immediately after the leader.
Previous Results
Oscar Piastri was victorious then β as he did the previous season, as well. McLaren's Australian is attempting a hat-trick.
Short Race Importance
Right, just over 20 minutes remaining till the sprint race begins. Barring disaster, it's greatest value is as an indication of future events, instead of significant in its own right, with only eight points awarded to the victor. Mind you, the runner-up spot here was enough for the driver to claim the title in a prior season.
Max Verstappen claimed F1 world title after PΓ©rez crashes out of Qatar GP sprint race.
