Qatar's Short Race and Grand Prix Qualifying: Real-Time Updates
Preamble
Our correspondent is about to begin to guide you through today's sprint race (2pm GMT) and qualifying (6pm).
Current Events
Starting Lap Period
The warm-up lap has begun.
Circuit Details
We have nineteen laps of the longest circuit in F1, David Croft reminds us.
Countdown
The last moments is on.
Driver Situation
One point in Max Verstappen's advantage: his fellow driver Yuki Tsunoda is ahead of him by a single position. He is unlikely to interfere with Red Bull's lead driver.
Interview Updates
Sky speaking with Sky currently: Gary Neville is at the Mercedes team.
Karun Chandhok is jumping ahead to 2026, speaking with Adrian Newey about his stepping up to the team team principal.
Grid Details
There are only 16 cars on the grid. It was another bad qualifying for the driver: after coming 20th and last in Las Vegas, leading to an eighth-place finish in the grand prix, he failed to advance of Q1 once more on the previous day. Ferrari have as a result adjusted to his setup and so he will start from the starting area.
The team's Stroll and the Alpine pair of Gasly and Franco Colapinto are all starting from the same position.
Driver Comments
"We take the learning for the next day," says Isack Hadjar, starting eleventh. Expect plenty of learning.
Constructors' Championship
The focus isn't solely on the drivers' title: McLaren have run away with the team championship but Mercedes, with a forty-point advantage over their rivals, are aiming to seal second place this weekend. George Russell can assist in this goal from the front row, and Antonelli will begin immediately after the leader.
Past Performance
Oscar Piastri was victorious then – as he managed the previous season, as well. McLaren's Australian is going for a hat-trick.
Short Race Importance
Right, just over 20 minutes to go till the sprint race gets under way. Barring disaster, it's greatest value is as an indication of future events, rather than significant in its own right, with just eight championship points awarded to the winner. Mind you, the runner-up spot here was enough for the driver to become champion two years ago.
Max Verstappen wins F1 world title following Pérez crashes out of Qatar GP sprint race.
