Qatar Short Race and Main Event Qualifying: Live Coverage
Introduction
Our correspondent is arriving soon to guide you through today's sprint race (14:00 GMT) and qualifying (6pm).
Current Events
Formation Lap Time
The warm-up lap is underway.
Circuit Details
There are 19 laps around the lengthiest track in F1, the commentator reminds us.
Countdown
The countdown has begun.
Racer Positions
An advantage in Verstappen's advantage: his fellow driver Tsunoda is ahead of him by one place. He is unlikely to interfere with the team's main man.
Media Conversations
Sky interviewing Sky currently: Gary Neville is at the Mercedes team.
The analyst is looking forward to the 2026 season, speaking with Adrian Newey about his promotion to the team lead role.
Starting Positions
Just 16 cars on the grid. It was another bad qualifying for Lewis Hamilton: following his result of 20th and last in the previous race, resulting in an eighth-place finish in the grand prix, he failed to make it out of Q1 once more on Friday. The team have consequently made changes to his setup and so he begins from the starting area.
Aston Martin's Stroll and the Alpine duo of Gasly and Colapinto are all doing likewise.
Racer Statements
"We take the experience for the next day," states Hadjar, 11th on the grid. There will be a lot of that.
Team Standings
The focus isn't solely on the individual championship: The team have run away with the team championship but the team, with a 40-point lead over their rivals, will be hoping to seal second place this weekend. George Russell can help them achieve that from the front row, and Kimi Antonelli will start just behind Verstappen.
Previous Results
Oscar Piastri won that day – as he managed the previous season, as well. McLaren's Australian is going for a third consecutive win.
Sprint Race Value
Alright, approximately 20 minutes to go till the sprint race gets under way. Barring disaster, its main importance is as an indication of what is to come, instead of highly important in its itself, with just eight championship points available to the winner. Mind you, the runner-up spot in this race was sufficient for the driver to become champion in a prior season.
Max Verstappen claimed the championship after Pérez crashes out of Qatar GP sprint race.