Qatar Short Race and Grand Prix Qualifying: Live Coverage
Opening Notes
Philip will be here shortly to cover today's sprint race (14:00 GMT) and qualifying (18:00 GMT).
Real-Time Updates
Starting Lap Time
The starting lap has started.
Track Information
There are nineteen laps around the lengthiest track in Formula 1, David Croft reminds us.
Final Moments
The last moments is underway.
Racer Positions
One point in Verstappen's advantage: his fellow driver Yuki Tsunoda is in front of him by a single position. It's improbable to challenge the team's main man.
Media Conversations
Sky interviewing Sky currently: the analyst is at the Mercedes team.
The analyst is jumping ahead to the 2026 season, speaking with Adrian Newey about his promotion to the team team principal.
Grid Details
There are only sixteen vehicles on the grid. It was another poor grid-setting session for Lewis Hamilton: after coming 20th and last in Las Vegas, leading to an eighth position in the main race, he failed to make it out of the first qualifying segment once more on Friday. The team have consequently made changes to his setup and so he begins from the pit lane.
Aston Martin's Lance Stroll and the Alpine pair of Gasly and Colapinto are all doing likewise.
Driver Comments
"We'll use the learning for tomorrow," states Hadjar, starting eleventh. There will be plenty of learning.
Team Standings
It's not all about the individual championship: The team 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 help them achieve that from second place, and Antonelli will start just behind Verstappen.
Previous Results
Piastri won that day – as he did the previous season, as well. The driver from McLaren is attempting a hat-trick.
Sprint Race Value
Right, just over 20 minutes to go till the sprint race begins. Unless something goes wrong, it's greatest value is as a preview of what is to come, instead of highly important in its itself, with only eight points awarded to the winner. Mind you, the runner-up spot in this race was enough for Verstappen to claim the title two years ago.
Max Verstappen wins F1 world title after Pérez crashes out of the short race.
