Qatar Short Race and Main Event Qualifying: Live Coverage
Introduction
Philip is about to begin to take you through today's short race (14:00 GMT) and qualifying (6pm).
Real-Time Updates
Warm-Up Lap Period
The starting lap is underway.
Track Information
We have 19 laps of the longest circuit in Formula 1, the commentator reminds us.
Countdown
The last moments has begun.
Racer Positions
One point in Max Verstappen's favour: his teammate Tsunoda is in front of him by one place. It's improbable to mess with Red Bull's main man.
Interview Updates
Sky speaking with Sky currently: the analyst is at the Mercedes team.
The analyst is jumping ahead to the 2026 season, speaking with Adrian Newey about his stepping up to Aston Martin lead role.
Starting Positions
There are only sixteen vehicles on the grid. It was another bad qualifying for the driver: after coming twentieth and final in the previous race, leading to an eighth position in the grand prix, he did not manage to advance of Q1 once more on Friday. Ferrari have consequently made changes to his car configuration and so he begins from the starting area.
Aston Martin's Lance Stroll and the Alpine pair of Pierre Gasly and Colapinto are all doing likewise.
Racer Statements
"We'll use the experience for tomorrow," states Hadjar, starting eleventh. Expect a lot of that.
Team Standings
It's not all about the individual championship: The team have run away with the constructors' gong but Mercedes, with a 40-point lead over their rivals, are aiming to secure the runner-up position this weekend. Russell can assist in this goal from the front row, and Kimi Antonelli will start just behind the leader.
Past Performance
Piastri won that day – as he managed the previous season, too. McLaren's Australian is going for a hat-trick.
Sprint Race Value
Alright, just over 20 minutes remaining till the short race gets under way. Barring disaster, its main importance is as an indication of what is to come, rather than significant in its own right, with just eight championship points available to the victor. However, the runner-up spot here was enough for Verstappen to become champion in a prior season.
The driver wins the championship following Pérez crashes out of Qatar GP sprint race.
