Qatar's Short Race and Grand Prix Qualifying: Live Coverage
Opening Notes
Our correspondent is about to begin to cover today's sprint race (14:00 GMT) and grid-setting session (18:00 GMT).
Live Feed
Starting Lap Period
The starting lap has begun.
Track Information
There are 19 laps around the lengthiest track in F1, David Croft points out.
Countdown
The countdown is on.
Racer Positions
One point in Max Verstappen's advantage: his fellow driver Tsunoda is in front of him by a single position. He is unlikely to interfere with Red Bull's main man.
Interview Updates
Sky speaking with Sky now: Gary Neville is at the Mercedes team.
Karun Chandhok is jumping ahead to the 2026 season, speaking with the engineer about his promotion to Aston Martin lead role.
Grid Details
There are only 16 cars on the grid. It was another poor grid-setting session for the driver: after coming 20th and last in the previous race, resulting in 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 made changes to his setup and so he begins from the pit lane.
Aston Martin's Stroll and the Alpine duo of Gasly and Franco Colapinto are all doing likewise.
Driver Comments
"We take the learning for tomorrow," says Isack Hadjar, 11th on the grid. Expect a lot of that.
Constructors' Championship
The focus isn't solely on the individual championship: The team have run away with the team championship but the team, with a forty-point advantage over Red Bull, will be hoping to seal second place during this event. Russell can assist in this goal from second place, and Kimi Antonelli will start just behind the leader.
Past Performance
Oscar Piastri won that day – as he did last year, as well. McLaren's Australian is attempting a hat-trick.
Sprint Race Value
Alright, just over 20 minutes remaining till the short race gets under way. Unless something goes wrong, its main importance is as a preview of what is to come, instead of significant in its itself, with just eight championship points available to the winner. However, the runner-up spot in this race was enough for Verstappen to become champion two years ago.
Max Verstappen claimed F1 world title following Pérez crashes out of Qatar GP sprint race.
