Qatar Short Race and Grand Prix Qualifying: Live Coverage
Preamble
Our correspondent is about to begin to guide you through today's sprint race (14:00 GMT) and grid-setting session (6pm).
Real-Time Updates
Formation Lap Period
The warm-up lap has begun.
Track Information
There are 19 laps around the lengthiest track in Formula One, David Croft reminds us.
Countdown
The countdown is on.
Racer Positions
An advantage in Verstappen's favour: his teammate Yuki Tsunoda is ahead of him by one place. It's improbable to interfere with the team's lead driver.
Interview Updates
Sky speaking with Sky now: Gary Neville is at the Mercedes team.
Karun Chandhok is looking forward to the 2026 season, speaking with the engineer about his promotion to Aston Martin team principal.
Grid Details
Just 16 cars on the grid. This followed another bad qualifying for Lewis Hamilton: following his result of 20th and last in the previous race, resulting in an eighth position in the grand prix, he did not manage to make it out of the first qualifying segment once more on Friday. Ferrari have consequently adjusted to his setup and so he begins from the pit lane.
The team's Lance Stroll and the Alpine pair of Gasly and Colapinto are all doing likewise.
Driver Comments
"We'll use the experience for tomorrow," says Hadjar, starting eleventh. Expect a lot of that.
Constructors' Championship
It's not all about the drivers' title: McLaren have run away with the team championship but the team, with a 40-point lead over Red Bull, are aiming to seal second place this weekend. George Russell can assist in this goal from the front row, and Antonelli will start just behind Verstappen.
Previous Results
Oscar Piastri won that day – as he did last year, as well. The driver from McLaren is attempting a third consecutive win.
Sprint Race Value
Right, just over 20 minutes remaining till the short race gets under way. Unless something goes wrong, it's greatest value is as a preview of future events, instead of highly important in its itself, with just eight championship points awarded to the winner. Mind you, second place here was enough for Verstappen to become champion in a prior season.
The driver wins the championship following his teammate's accident of the short race.
