Qatar's Short Race and Grand Prix Qualifying: Real-Time Coverage

Introduction

Philip is arriving soon to cover today's sprint race (2pm GMT) and grid-setting session (18:00 GMT).

Current Events

Warm-Up Lap Time

The formation lap has started.

Track Information

There are nineteen laps around the lengthiest track in F1, the commentator informs us.

Countdown

The final countdown is underway.

Racer Positions

An advantage in Max Verstappen's advantage: his fellow driver Yuki Tsunoda is ahead of him by a single position. He is unlikely to challenge Red Bull's main man.

Interview Updates

Sky interviewing Sky currently: Gary Neville is with Mercedes.

Karun Chandhok is looking forward to 2026, interviewing the engineer about his stepping up to the team lead role.

Grid Details

Just sixteen vehicles on the grid. It was another bad qualifying for the driver: after coming 20th and last in Las Vegas, leading to an eighth position in the main race, he did not manage to make it out of the first qualifying segment once more on Friday. The team have as a result adjusted to his car configuration and so he begins from the pit lane.

Aston Martin's Stroll and the Alpine pair of Gasly and Franco Colapinto are all doing likewise.

Driver Comments

"We'll use the learning for the next day," says Hadjar, 11th on the grid. Expect plenty of learning.

Constructors' Championship

The focus isn't solely on the drivers' title: McLaren 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. Russell can help them achieve that from second place, and Antonelli will start just behind Verstappen.

Previous Results

Oscar Piastri was victorious then – as he managed the previous season, too. McLaren's Australian is going for a hat-trick.

Sprint Race Value

Right, just over 20 minutes remaining till the short race gets under way. Barring disaster, its main importance is as a preview of future events, instead of significant in its itself, with just eight championship points awarded to the victor. However, the runner-up spot in this race was enough for the driver to become champion two years ago.

Max Verstappen wins the championship after his teammate's accident of the short race.