Qatar Short Race and Main Event Qualifying: Live Updates
Introduction
Philip is arriving soon to cover today's sprint race (14:00 GMT) and grid-setting session (18:00 GMT).
Current Events
Formation Lap Time
The starting lap has begun.
Circuit Details
We have nineteen laps of the longest circuit in Formula 1, David Croft informs us.
Countdown
The countdown is underway.
Driver Situation
One point in Verstappen's advantage: his teammate Yuki Tsunoda is ahead of him by a single position. It's improbable to interfere with the team's main man.
Interview Updates
Sky speaking with Sky now: the analyst is with Mercedes.
The analyst is jumping ahead to the 2026 season, interviewing the engineer about his promotion to the team team principal.
Starting Positions
Just 16 cars on the grid. It was another poor grid-setting session for the driver: after coming 20th and last in the previous race, resulting in an eighth-place finish in the grand prix, he failed to advance of Q1 once more on Friday. The team have as a result adjusted to his car configuration and so he begins from the starting area.
The team's Lance Stroll and the Alpine pair of Gasly and Franco Colapinto are all starting from the same position.
Racer Statements
"We'll use the experience for tomorrow," says Isack Hadjar, starting eleventh. There will be plenty of learning.
Constructors' Championship
The focus isn't solely on the drivers' title: The team have dominated the team championship but the team, with a 40-point lead over Red Bull, are aiming to seal second place during this event. Russell can assist in this goal from second place, and Kimi Antonelli will start just behind the leader.
Previous Results
Piastri was victorious then – as he did last year, as well. The driver from McLaren is going for a hat-trick.
Short Race Importance
Right, approximately twenty minutes to go until the short race gets under way. Unless something goes wrong, its main importance is as an indication of future events, instead of significant in its own right, with only eight points awarded to the victor. Mind you, the runner-up spot in this race was sufficient for the driver to claim the title in a prior season.
Max Verstappen wins F1 world title after Pérez crashes out of Qatar GP sprint race.
