Qatar Short Race and Main Event Qualifying: Live Coverage
Introduction
Our correspondent will be here shortly to guide you through this day's short race (2pm GMT) and qualifying (6pm).
Current Events
Starting Lap Period
The starting lap has started.
Circuit Details
There are nineteen laps of the longest circuit in Formula One, David Croft reminds us.
Final Moments
The last moments has begun.
Racer Positions
An advantage in Max Verstappen's advantage: his teammate Yuki Tsunoda is in front of him by a single position. It's improbable to mess with Red Bull's lead driver.
Interview Updates
Sky interviewing Sky now: Gary Neville is at the Mercedes team.
Karun Chandhok is looking forward to 2026, speaking with the engineer about his stepping up to Aston Martin lead role.
Starting Positions
There are only 16 cars on the grid. This followed another poor grid-setting session for Lewis Hamilton: after coming twentieth and final in Las Vegas, leading to an eighth position in the grand prix, he did not manage to advance of the first qualifying segment again on Friday. Ferrari have as a result adjusted to his car configuration and so he will start from the pit lane.
The team's Lance Stroll and the Alpine pair of Pierre Gasly and Franco Colapinto are all starting from the same position.
Racer Statements
"We'll use the experience for the next day," says Hadjar, 11th on the grid. 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 their rivals, are aiming to secure the runner-up position this weekend. George Russell can help them achieve that from the front row, and Kimi Antonelli will begin immediately after the leader.
Past Performance
Oscar Piastri was victorious then – as he managed last year, as well. The driver from McLaren is going for a third consecutive win.
Short Race Importance
Right, approximately twenty minutes remaining until the short race gets under way. Unless something goes wrong, it's greatest value is as a preview of what is to come, instead of significant in its own right, with just eight championship points awarded to the victor. However, second place here was sufficient for the driver to claim the title two years ago.
Max Verstappen wins the championship after his teammate's accident of Qatar GP sprint race.