Qatar's Short Race and Grand Prix Qualifying: Live Coverage
Preamble
The author is arriving soon to cover today's sprint race (2pm GMT) and grid-setting session (18:00 GMT).
Current Events
Warm-Up Lap Time
The starting lap has started.
Circuit Details
We have 19 laps around the lengthiest track in F1, David Croft reminds us.
Final Moments
The countdown has begun.
Driver Situation
One point in Verstappen's advantage: his teammate Tsunoda is in front of him by a single position. It's improbable to interfere with the team's lead driver.
Interview Updates
Sky speaking with Sky now: the analyst is with Mercedes.
The analyst is looking forward to the 2026 season, interviewing Adrian Newey about his stepping up to Aston Martin team principal.
Grid Details
There are only sixteen vehicles on the grid. It was another bad qualifying for the driver: following his result of twentieth and final in the previous race, leading to an eighth position in the main race, he failed to make it out of Q1 again on Friday. Ferrari have as a result adjusted to his car configuration and so he begins from the starting area.
The team's Stroll and the Alpine pair of Gasly and Franco Colapinto are all doing likewise.
Racer Statements
"We'll use the learning for tomorrow," says Hadjar, starting eleventh. Expect a lot of that.
Team Standings
It's not all about the drivers' title: The team have run away with the team championship but Mercedes, with a 40-point lead over Red Bull, will be hoping to secure the runner-up position during this event. Russell can assist in this goal from the front row, and Antonelli will begin immediately after Verstappen.
Previous Results
Piastri won that day – as he did the previous season, as well. McLaren's Australian is going for a third consecutive win.
Short Race Importance
Alright, approximately 20 minutes remaining till the sprint race gets under way. Unless something goes wrong, it's greatest value is as an indication of what is to come, instead of highly important in its own right, with only eight points awarded to the victor. Mind you, second place here was enough for Verstappen to become champion in a prior season.
Max Verstappen claimed F1 world title following Pérez crashes out of the short race.
