Qatar's Short Race and Main Event Qualifying: Live Updates
Opening Notes
Philip is arriving soon to guide you through this day's sprint race (14:00 GMT) and grid-setting session (18:00 GMT).
Current Events
Warm-Up Lap Period
The starting lap is underway.
Circuit Details
There are 19 laps around the lengthiest track in F1, David Croft reminds us.
Countdown
The last moments is on.
Driver Situation
One point in Max Verstappen's favour: his teammate Yuki Tsunoda is in front of him by one place. It's improbable to interfere with the team's lead driver.
Interview Updates
Sky's internal discussion now: Gary Neville is at the Mercedes team.
Karun Chandhok is looking forward to 2026, speaking with Adrian Newey about his promotion to Aston Martin team principal.
Grid Details
Just 16 cars on the grid. It was another bad qualifying for the driver: after coming twentieth and final in the previous race, resulting in an eighth position in the main race, he did not manage to make it out of Q1 again on the previous day. Ferrari have consequently adjusted to his setup and so he begins from the starting area.
The team's Stroll and the Alpine pair of Pierre Gasly and Colapinto are all doing likewise.
Racer Statements
"We take the experience for the next day," says Isack Hadjar, starting eleventh. There will be a lot of that.
Constructors' Championship
The focus isn't solely on the individual championship: McLaren have dominated the constructors' gong but the team, with a forty-point advantage over Red Bull, will be hoping to seal second place during this event. Russell can assist in this goal from the front row, and Antonelli will start just behind the leader.
Past Performance
Piastri was victorious then – as he managed the previous season, as well. McLaren's Australian is attempting a third consecutive win.
Short Race Importance
Right, approximately 20 minutes to go till the sprint race begins. Unless something goes wrong, its main importance is as a preview of what is to come, rather than highly important in its own right, with only eight points available to the winner. Mind you, the runner-up spot here was enough for the driver to claim the title two years ago.
Max Verstappen claimed F1 world title following Pérez crashes out of Qatar GP sprint race.
