Qatar's Short Race and Grand Prix Qualifying: Real-Time Coverage
Preamble
Our correspondent is arriving soon to take you through this day's short race (2pm GMT) and grid-setting session (6pm).
Real-Time Updates
Warm-Up Lap Time
The starting lap has begun.
Circuit Details
We have nineteen laps around the lengthiest track in Formula One, the commentator reminds us.
Countdown
The final countdown is on.
Racer Positions
One point in Max Verstappen's favour: his teammate Tsunoda is in front of him by a single position. It's improbable to challenge the team's lead driver.
Interview Updates
Sky's internal discussion currently: Gary Neville is with Mercedes.
The analyst is jumping ahead to the 2026 season, interviewing Adrian Newey about his promotion to the team lead role.
Starting Positions
Just 16 cars on the grid. It was another bad qualifying for Lewis Hamilton: after coming twentieth and final in the previous race, leading to an eighth-place finish in the grand prix, he did not manage to advance of Q1 once more on Friday. The team have as a result adjusted to his car configuration and so he will start from the starting area.
The team's Stroll and the Alpine pair of Gasly and Colapinto are all starting from the same position.
Racer Statements
"We'll use the learning for tomorrow," says Isack Hadjar, starting eleventh. Expect a lot of that.
Team Standings
The focus isn't solely on the individual championship: The team have dominated the team championship but the team, with a 40-point lead over Red Bull, will be hoping to secure the runner-up position during this event. Russell can help them achieve that from the front row, and Antonelli will begin immediately after the leader.
Previous Results
Piastri was victorious then – as he managed last year, too. The driver from McLaren is attempting a hat-trick.
Sprint Race Value
Alright, just over 20 minutes to go until the sprint race gets under way. Barring disaster, it's greatest value is as a preview of what is to come, rather than highly important in its own right, with just eight championship points awarded to the winner. However, the runner-up spot here was sufficient for the driver to claim the title in a prior season.
Max Verstappen wins F1 world title after PĂ©rez crashes out of the short race.
