Qatar Short Race and Main Event Qualifying: Live Updates
Introduction
Philip is arriving soon to guide you through today's short race (14:00 GMT) and grid-setting session (6pm).
Current Events
Formation Lap Period
The warm-up lap has started.
Track Information
There are 19 laps of the longest circuit in Formula 1, David Croft points out.
Countdown
The final countdown has begun.
Driver Situation
An advantage in Max Verstappen's advantage: his fellow driver Yuki Tsunoda is ahead of him by a single position. It's improbable to interfere with the team's lead driver.
Media Conversations
Sky interviewing Sky now: the analyst is at the Mercedes team.
The analyst is looking forward to 2026, interviewing Adrian Newey about his stepping up to the team team principal.
Starting Positions
Just sixteen vehicles on the grid. It was another bad qualifying for the driver: following his result of twentieth and final in the previous race, leading to an eighth position in the grand prix, he failed to advance of Q1 again on Friday. The team have consequently made changes to his setup and so he will start from the pit lane.
Aston Martin's Lance Stroll and the Alpine duo of Gasly and Colapinto are all starting from the same position.
Driver Comments
"We'll use the experience for tomorrow," says Isack Hadjar, 11th on the grid. There will be plenty of learning.
Constructors' Championship
It's not all about the individual championship: McLaren have dominated the constructors' gong but Mercedes, with a 40-point lead over their rivals, are aiming to secure the runner-up position during this event. Russell can help them achieve that from the front row, and Antonelli will start just behind the leader.
Previous Results
Piastri was victorious then – as he managed the previous season, too. McLaren's Australian is going for a third consecutive win.
Sprint Race Value
Right, just over 20 minutes remaining till the sprint race gets under way. Unless something goes wrong, its main importance is as a preview of what is to come, rather than significant in its own right, 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 in a prior season.
The driver claimed F1 world title following Pérez crashes out of Qatar GP sprint race.
