Qatar Short Race and Main Event Qualifying: Real-Time Updates
Opening Notes
The author is arriving soon to take you through today's short race (14:00 GMT) and grid-setting session (18:00 GMT).
Live Feed
Warm-Up Lap Time
The starting lap has begun.
Track Information
There are nineteen laps around the lengthiest track in Formula 1, the commentator reminds us.
Final Moments
The last moments has begun.
Driver Situation
One point in Verstappen's advantage: his teammate Yuki Tsunoda is ahead of him by a single position. He is unlikely to mess with the team's lead driver.
Interview Updates
Sky interviewing Sky currently: Gary Neville is at the Mercedes team.
Karun Chandhok is jumping ahead to 2026, speaking with the engineer about his stepping up to the team lead role.
Grid Details
There are only 16 cars on the grid. It was another poor grid-setting session for Lewis Hamilton: following his result of twentieth and final in the previous race, leading to an eighth position in the grand prix, he failed to make it out of the first qualifying segment once more on Friday. The team have as a result made changes to his car configuration and so he will start from the starting area.
Aston Martin's Lance Stroll and the Alpine pair of Gasly and Colapinto are all starting from the same position.
Driver Comments
"We'll use the learning for the next day," says Hadjar, starting eleventh. There will be plenty of learning.
Constructors' Championship
It's not all about the individual championship: McLaren have dominated the team championship but Mercedes, with a 40-point lead over their rivals, are aiming to seal second place this weekend. Russell can help them achieve that from the front row, and Kimi Antonelli will begin immediately after Verstappen.
Past Performance
Piastri was victorious then – as he did the previous season, as well. McLaren's Australian is going for a third consecutive win.
Sprint Race Value
Right, just over twenty minutes to go till the sprint race begins. Unless something goes wrong, it's greatest value is as an indication of what is to come, instead of significant in its itself, with only eight points available to the victor. Mind you, the runner-up spot in this race was sufficient for the driver to claim the title two years ago.
The driver wins F1 world title after his teammate's accident of Qatar GP sprint race.
