Qatar's Short Race and Main Event Qualifying: Real-Time Coverage
Preamble
Our correspondent will be here shortly to take you through today's short race (2pm GMT) and grid-setting session (18:00 GMT).
Current Events
Starting Lap Period
The formation lap has started.
Track Information
We have nineteen laps of the longest circuit in F1, the commentator points out.
Final Moments
The countdown has begun.
Racer Positions
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 Red Bull's main man.
Media Conversations
Sky speaking with Sky now: the analyst is at the Mercedes team.
Karun Chandhok is looking forward to 2026, interviewing Adrian Newey about his promotion to the team lead role.
Grid Details
Just 16 cars on the grid. This followed another poor grid-setting session for the driver: following his result of twentieth and final in the previous race, resulting in an eighth-place finish in the main race, he did not manage to make it out of Q1 once more on the previous day. Ferrari have as a result adjusted to his car configuration 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.
Driver Comments
"We'll use the experience for the next day," states Hadjar, 11th on the grid. There will be 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 their rivals, are aiming to secure the runner-up position during this event. George Russell can help them achieve that from the front row, and Kimi Antonelli will start just behind the leader.
Previous Results
Oscar Piastri won that day – as he did the previous season, as well. McLaren's Australian is going for a hat-trick.
Short Race Importance
Alright, just over twenty minutes remaining till the sprint race gets under way. Unless something goes wrong, its main importance is as a preview of future events, instead of significant in its own right, with only eight points awarded to the victor. Mind you, second place in this race was sufficient for Verstappen to claim the title two years ago.
The driver wins the championship following his teammate's accident of Qatar GP sprint race.
