Qatar Short Race and Grand Prix Qualifying: Live Coverage

Preamble

Our correspondent will be here shortly to guide you through this day's sprint race (14:00 GMT) and grid-setting session (6pm).

Live Feed

Formation Lap Period

The starting lap has started.

Circuit Details

There are nineteen laps around the lengthiest track in F1, the commentator points out.

Final Moments

The last moments is on.

Driver Situation

An advantage in Max Verstappen's advantage: his fellow driver Yuki Tsunoda is in front of him by a single position. It's improbable to interfere with the team's main man.

Media Conversations

Sky speaking with Sky now: Gary Neville is with Mercedes.

The analyst is looking forward to 2026, interviewing the engineer about his promotion to Aston Martin team principal.

Grid Details

Just 16 cars on the grid. It was another poor grid-setting session for the driver: following his result of 20th and last in Las Vegas, resulting in an eighth-place finish in the grand prix, he did not manage to make it out of the first qualifying segment again on Friday. Ferrari have as a result made changes to his car configuration and so he begins from the starting area.

Aston Martin's Stroll and the Alpine pair of Pierre Gasly and Colapinto are all doing likewise.

Driver Comments

"We take the learning for the next day," states Isack Hadjar, 11th on the grid. Expect plenty of learning.

Constructors' Championship

The focus isn't solely on the drivers' title: McLaren 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 during this event. Russell can assist in this goal from second place, and Antonelli will begin immediately after Verstappen.

Past Performance

Oscar Piastri was victorious then – as he managed the previous season, as well. The driver from McLaren is going for a third consecutive win.

Short Race Importance

Right, approximately 20 minutes to go until the short race begins. Unless something goes wrong, it's greatest value is as an indication of what is to come, rather than significant in its itself, with only eight points awarded to the victor. Mind you, second place here was sufficient for the driver to claim the title in a prior season.

Max Verstappen claimed F1 world title following his teammate's accident of Qatar GP sprint race.