Qatar's Short Race and Grand Prix Qualifying: Real-Time Coverage

Introduction

The author will be here shortly to guide you through today's sprint race (14:00 GMT) and grid-setting session (18:00 GMT).

Real-Time Updates

Warm-Up Lap Period

The starting lap is underway.

Track Information

We have 19 laps around the lengthiest track in Formula One, the commentator informs us.

Final Moments

The last moments is on.

Driver Situation

An advantage in Max Verstappen's favour: his fellow driver Yuki Tsunoda is in front of him by one place. He is unlikely to mess with Red Bull's main man.

Interview Updates

Sky's internal discussion now: Gary Neville is at the Mercedes team.

The analyst is jumping ahead to the 2026 season, interviewing the engineer about his stepping up to the team lead role.

Starting Positions

Just sixteen vehicles on the grid. This followed another bad qualifying 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 make it out of Q1 again on the previous day. The team have consequently made changes to his car configuration and so he begins from the pit lane.

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

Driver Comments

"We'll use the learning for tomorrow," states Isack Hadjar, 11th on the grid. Expect a lot of that.

Constructors' Championship

The focus isn't solely on the individual championship: The team have run away with the team championship but Mercedes, with a 40-point lead over their rivals, are aiming to seal second place during this event. George Russell can help them achieve that from second place, and Antonelli will start just behind the leader.

Past Performance

Piastri won that day – as he managed last year, as well. McLaren's Australian is going for a hat-trick.

Short Race Importance

Right, approximately 20 minutes remaining until the sprint race begins. Barring disaster, its main importance is as a preview of future events, rather than significant in its itself, with just eight championship points available to the victor. Mind you, second place in this race was enough for the driver to become champion two years ago.

Max Verstappen claimed F1 world title after his teammate's accident of the short race.