Qatar Short Race and Grand Prix Qualifying: Real-Time Updates
Opening Notes
The author will be here shortly to take you through this day's sprint race (2pm GMT) and grid-setting session (6pm).
Live Feed
Warm-Up Lap Period
The warm-up lap has begun.
Track Information
There are 19 laps of the longest circuit in F1, the commentator informs us.
Final Moments
The last moments is underway.
Driver Situation
An advantage in Max Verstappen's advantage: his fellow driver Tsunoda is in front of him by one place. He is unlikely to challenge the team's main man.
Interview Updates
Sky speaking with Sky now: Gary Neville is with Mercedes.
Karun Chandhok is looking forward to 2026, speaking with Adrian Newey about his stepping up to Aston Martin lead role.
Grid Details
There are only sixteen vehicles on the grid. This followed another bad qualifying for the driver: following his result of twentieth and final in Las Vegas, resulting in an eighth-place finish in the main race, he did not manage to advance of Q1 once more on the previous day. Ferrari have consequently made changes to his setup and so he begins from the pit lane.
Aston Martin's Stroll and the Alpine pair of Gasly and Colapinto are all starting from the same position.
Racer Statements
"We take the experience for the next day," says Isack Hadjar, 11th on the grid. Expect a lot of that.
Constructors' Championship
It's not all about the individual championship: The team have dominated the constructors' gong but Mercedes, with a 40-point lead over Red Bull, are aiming to seal second place during this event. George Russell can assist in this goal from second place, and Kimi Antonelli will start just behind Verstappen.
Past Performance
Piastri won that day – as he managed last year, too. McLaren's Australian is going for a third consecutive win.
Short Race Importance
Right, approximately 20 minutes to go until the sprint race begins. Barring disaster, its main importance is as an indication 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 in a prior season.
Max Verstappen claimed the championship after Pérez crashes out of Qatar GP sprint race.
