Qatar's Short Race and Main Event Qualifying: Live Coverage
Preamble
The author will be here shortly to guide you through this day's sprint race (14:00 GMT) and grid-setting session (6pm).
Current Events
Starting Lap Period
The starting lap has begun.
Circuit Details
We have 19 laps around the lengthiest track in Formula One, the commentator informs us.
Countdown
The countdown is underway.
Driver Situation
An advantage in Verstappen's favour: his fellow driver Yuki Tsunoda is in front of him by a single position. He is unlikely to challenge the team's lead driver.
Interview Updates
Sky's internal discussion currently: the analyst is with Mercedes.
Karun Chandhok is jumping ahead to the 2026 season, speaking with Adrian Newey about his promotion to Aston Martin lead role.
Grid Details
There are only 16 cars on the grid. It was another poor grid-setting session for Lewis Hamilton: after coming twentieth and final in the previous race, resulting in an eighth position in the main race, he failed to make it out of Q1 once more on the previous day. Ferrari have as a result made changes to his setup and so he begins from the pit lane.
Aston Martin's Stroll and the Alpine duo of Gasly and Colapinto are all starting from the same position.
Driver Comments
"We'll use the experience for tomorrow," states Isack Hadjar, starting eleventh. There will be plenty of learning.
Constructors' Championship
The focus isn't solely on the individual championship: McLaren have run away with the team championship but the team, with a forty-point advantage over Red Bull, are aiming to secure the runner-up position during this event. Russell can help them achieve that from second place, and Antonelli will start just behind Verstappen.
Past Performance
Oscar Piastri was victorious then – as he managed last year, too. McLaren's Australian is attempting a hat-trick.
Short Race Importance
Alright, just over twenty minutes remaining till the sprint race gets under way. Unless something goes wrong, it's greatest value 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 in this race was enough for Verstappen to become champion two years ago.
The driver claimed F1 world title after Pérez crashes out of Qatar GP sprint race.