Qatar's Short Race and Main Event Qualifying: Live Updates
Preamble
Our correspondent will be here shortly to take you through this day's sprint race (2pm GMT) and grid-setting session (18:00 GMT).
Real-Time Updates
Warm-Up Lap Period
The formation lap has begun.
Track Information
We have 19 laps of the longest circuit in F1, David Croft informs us.
Final Moments
The last moments is on.
Driver Situation
One point in Verstappen's advantage: his teammate Tsunoda is ahead of him by a single position. He is unlikely to challenge the team's main man.
Interview Updates
Sky's internal discussion currently: the analyst is at the Mercedes team.
The analyst is jumping ahead to 2026, speaking with Adrian Newey about his promotion to the team team principal.
Grid Details
Just sixteen vehicles on the grid. This followed another bad qualifying for the driver: following his result of twentieth and final in Las Vegas, leading to an eighth position in the grand prix, he did not manage to advance of Q1 once more on the previous day. The team have as a result made changes to his car configuration and so he begins from the pit lane.
Aston Martin's Stroll and the Alpine duo of Gasly and Colapinto are all doing likewise.
Driver Comments
"We take the learning for the next day," states Hadjar, starting eleventh. Expect plenty of learning.
Constructors' Championship
The focus isn't solely on the drivers' title: The team have run away with the constructors' gong but Mercedes, with a 40-point lead over their rivals, will be hoping to seal second place during this event. George Russell can assist in this goal from the front row, and Kimi Antonelli will begin immediately after the leader.
Previous Results
Oscar Piastri won that day – as he did last year, as well. The driver from McLaren is attempting a third consecutive win.
Short Race Importance
Right, approximately 20 minutes to go until the sprint race gets under way. Barring disaster, it's greatest value is as an indication of what is to come, instead of highly important in its own right, with just eight championship points available to the winner. Mind you, the runner-up spot in this race was sufficient for Verstappen to claim the title two years ago.
Max Verstappen wins F1 world title after Pérez crashes out of Qatar GP sprint race.
