Qatar Short Race and Grand Prix Qualifying: Live Coverage
Opening Notes
Our correspondent will be here shortly to guide you through this day's sprint race (2pm GMT) and qualifying (6pm).
Current Events
Formation Lap Period
The formation lap is underway.
Track Information
There are nineteen laps of the longest circuit in F1, the commentator reminds us.
Countdown
The last moments is underway.
Driver Situation
One point in Verstappen's advantage: his fellow driver Tsunoda is in front of him by a single position. It's improbable to mess with Red Bull's main man.
Interview Updates
Sky interviewing Sky now: Gary Neville is with Mercedes.
The analyst is jumping ahead to 2026, speaking with the engineer about his stepping up to the team team principal.
Grid Details
There are only 16 cars on the grid. It was another poor grid-setting session for Lewis Hamilton: following his result of 20th and last in the previous race, leading to an eighth-place finish in the grand prix, he did not manage to make it out 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 starting area.
The team's Lance Stroll and the Alpine pair of Pierre Gasly and Colapinto are all doing likewise.
Driver Comments
"We take the learning for the next day," states Isack Hadjar, starting eleventh. Expect a lot of that.
Constructors' Championship
The focus isn't solely on the individual championship: The team have dominated the constructors' gong but Mercedes, with a forty-point advantage over Red Bull, will be hoping to seal second place during this event. George Russell can help them achieve that from the front row, and Antonelli will start just behind Verstappen.
Past Performance
Oscar Piastri won that day – as he did last year, as well. McLaren's Australian is attempting a hat-trick.
Sprint Race Value
Alright, just over twenty minutes remaining till the sprint race begins. Barring disaster, it's greatest value is as a preview of future events, rather than highly important in its itself, with just eight championship points available to the victor. Mind you, the runner-up spot in this race was sufficient for Verstappen to become champion two years ago.
The driver claimed F1 world title after his teammate's accident of the short race.
