Qatar Short Race and Grand Prix Qualifying: Live Coverage
Opening Notes
Our correspondent is arriving soon to take you through today's sprint race (14:00 GMT) and grid-setting session (18:00 GMT).
Current Events
Starting Lap Period
The warm-up lap has begun.
Track Information
We have nineteen laps around the lengthiest track in Formula One, David Croft reminds us.
Final Moments
The last moments is underway.
Racer Positions
One point in Verstappen's favour: his teammate Yuki Tsunoda is ahead of him by one place. He is unlikely to challenge the team's main man.
Interview Updates
Sky's internal discussion now: Gary Neville is at the Mercedes team.
Karun Chandhok is jumping ahead to 2026, speaking with the engineer about his promotion to the team lead role.
Starting Positions
Just 16 cars on the grid. It was another poor grid-setting session for Lewis Hamilton: following his result of 20th and last in the previous race, resulting in an eighth-place finish in the main race, he failed to advance of the first qualifying segment again on the previous day. Ferrari have as a result made changes to his car configuration and so he begins from the pit lane.
Aston Martin's Lance Stroll and the Alpine duo of Gasly and Franco Colapinto are all starting from the same position.
Driver Comments
"We take the experience for the next day," says Isack Hadjar, 11th on the grid. Expect plenty of learning.
Constructors' Championship
The focus isn't solely on the individual championship: McLaren have run away with the team championship but Mercedes, with a forty-point advantage over Red Bull, are aiming to seal second place during this event. George Russell can assist in this goal from second place, and Antonelli will begin immediately after the leader.
Previous Results
Oscar Piastri won that day – as he managed the previous season, as well. The driver from McLaren is going for a third consecutive win.
Sprint Race Value
Right, approximately 20 minutes to go till the short race begins. Barring disaster, it's greatest value is as a preview of future events, instead of significant in its itself, with just eight championship points awarded to the winner. Mind you, second place here was sufficient for Verstappen to become champion in a prior season.
Max Verstappen wins the championship following Pérez crashes out of Qatar GP sprint race.
