Qatar Short Race and Grand Prix Qualifying: Live Updates
Opening Notes
Our correspondent is about to begin to guide you through this day's short race (14:00 GMT) and grid-setting session (6pm).
Live Feed
Starting Lap Time
The formation lap has begun.
Circuit Details
We have nineteen laps of the longest circuit in Formula 1, David Croft points out.
Final Moments
The last moments has begun.
Racer Positions
An advantage in Verstappen's favour: his fellow driver Tsunoda is in front of him by a single position. He is unlikely to challenge the team's main man.
Media Conversations
Sky interviewing Sky now: the analyst is at the Mercedes team.
Karun Chandhok is jumping ahead to the 2026 season, speaking with the engineer about his stepping up to Aston Martin team principal.
Starting Positions
There are only 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-place finish in the grand prix, he did not manage to advance of Q1 again on Friday. Ferrari have as a result adjusted to his car configuration and so he will start from the starting area.
Aston Martin's Stroll and the Alpine pair of Pierre Gasly and Colapinto are all starting from the same position.
Driver Comments
"We take the learning for tomorrow," states Hadjar, starting eleventh. Expect plenty of learning.
Constructors' Championship
The focus isn't solely on the individual championship: McLaren have dominated the constructors' gong but the team, with a forty-point advantage over Red Bull, are aiming to secure the runner-up position during this event. Russell can assist in this goal from second place, and Kimi Antonelli will begin immediately after the leader.
Past Performance
Piastri was victorious then – as he did the previous season, too. The driver from McLaren is going for a hat-trick.
Sprint Race Value
Alright, just over twenty minutes remaining until the short race begins. Unless something goes wrong, it's greatest value is as an indication of future events, instead of significant in its own right, with just eight championship points available to the victor. Mind you, second place in this race was enough for the driver to claim the title two years ago.
Max Verstappen wins the championship following his teammate's accident of Qatar GP sprint race.
