Qatar's Short Race and Grand Prix Qualifying: Live Coverage
Preamble
Our correspondent will be here shortly to cover this day's sprint race (14:00 GMT) and grid-setting session (18:00 GMT).
Live Feed
Formation Lap Period
The formation lap has started.
Track Information
There are 19 laps around the lengthiest track in F1, David Croft informs us.
Countdown
The countdown has begun.
Driver Situation
An advantage in Verstappen's advantage: his fellow driver Yuki Tsunoda is in front of him by a single position. He is unlikely to interfere with the team's main man.
Interview Updates
Sky interviewing Sky now: Gary Neville is at the Mercedes team.
Karun Chandhok is looking forward to 2026, speaking with Adrian Newey about his stepping up to the team team principal.
Grid Details
Just sixteen vehicles on the grid. This followed another poor grid-setting session for Lewis Hamilton: after coming 20th and last in the previous race, leading to an eighth position in the main race, he failed to make it out of the first qualifying segment again on the previous day. Ferrari have as a result adjusted to his setup and so he begins from the starting area.
The team's Stroll and the Alpine duo of Gasly and Franco Colapinto are all starting from the same position.
Driver Comments
"We take the experience for tomorrow," says Isack Hadjar, starting eleventh. There will be a lot of that.
Team Standings
It's not all about the individual championship: McLaren have dominated the team championship but the team, with a forty-point advantage over their rivals, are aiming to seal second place this weekend. George Russell can assist in this goal from the front row, and Antonelli will start just behind Verstappen.
Previous Results
Oscar Piastri won that day – as he did the previous season, as well. The driver from McLaren is going for a hat-trick.
Sprint Race Value
Alright, just over twenty minutes to go till the short race begins. Barring disaster, its main importance is as a preview of future events, instead of highly important in its itself, with just eight championship points available to the victor. Mind you, the runner-up spot here was enough for the driver to become champion in a prior season.
Max Verstappen wins the championship after his teammate's accident of the short race.
