Qatar's Short Race and Grand Prix Qualifying: Real-Time Updates
Preamble
The author will be here shortly to cover this day's sprint race (2pm GMT) and grid-setting session (18:00 GMT).
Live Feed
Formation Lap Period
The starting lap has begun.
Track Information
We have 19 laps of the longest circuit in Formula 1, David Croft informs us.
Final Moments
The last moments is on.
Racer Positions
An advantage in Verstappen's favour: his fellow driver Tsunoda is ahead of him by a single position. He is unlikely to mess with the team's main man.
Interview Updates
Sky interviewing Sky currently: Gary Neville is at the Mercedes team.
The analyst is jumping ahead to the 2026 season, speaking with Adrian Newey about his stepping up to the team lead role.
Starting Positions
Just sixteen vehicles on the grid. It was another poor grid-setting session for the driver: after coming 20th and last in Las Vegas, leading to an eighth-place finish in the grand prix, he failed to make it out of the first qualifying segment once more on the previous day. Ferrari have as a result adjusted to his car configuration and so he will start from the starting area.
Aston Martin's Stroll and the Alpine pair of Gasly and Colapinto are all doing likewise.
Driver Comments
"We take the learning for the next day," states Hadjar, 11th on the grid. Expect plenty of learning.
Team Standings
It's not all about the individual championship: McLaren have run away with the team championship but the team, with a forty-point advantage over Red Bull, will be hoping to seal second place during this event. George Russell can help them achieve that from the front row, and Antonelli will start just behind the leader.
Previous Results
Oscar Piastri was victorious then – as he managed last year, as well. McLaren's Australian is going for a hat-trick.
Short Race Importance
Right, approximately twenty minutes to go until the short race gets under way. Barring disaster, it's greatest value is as a preview of future events, instead of highly important in its own right, with only eight points available to the winner. However, second place in this race was enough for Verstappen to claim the title two years ago.
The driver wins the championship after Pérez crashes out of Qatar GP sprint race.