Qatar Short Race and Grand Prix Qualifying: Live Updates
Preamble
Our correspondent is about to begin to guide you through this day's sprint race (14:00 GMT) and qualifying (6pm).
Real-Time Updates
Formation Lap Time
The formation lap is underway.
Track Information
There are 19 laps around the lengthiest track in F1, the commentator points out.
Countdown
The countdown has begun.
Driver Situation
An advantage in Verstappen's advantage: his teammate Yuki Tsunoda is in front of him by a single position. He is unlikely to mess with Red Bull's main man.
Interview Updates
Sky speaking with Sky now: the analyst is at the Mercedes team.
Karun Chandhok is jumping ahead to 2026, speaking with the engineer about his stepping up to the team lead role.
Starting Positions
Just sixteen vehicles on the grid. It was another bad qualifying for the driver: following his result of twentieth and final in the previous race, resulting in an eighth position in the grand prix, he failed to make it out of Q1 again on the previous day. The team have as a result made changes to his car configuration and so he will start from the starting area.
Aston Martin's Lance Stroll and the Alpine pair of Gasly and Franco Colapinto are all starting from the same position.
Driver Comments
"We take the learning for the next day," says Hadjar, 11th on the grid. There will be plenty of learning.
Constructors' Championship
The focus isn't solely on the drivers' title: McLaren have dominated the constructors' gong but the team, with a forty-point advantage over their rivals, will be hoping to seal second place this weekend. George Russell can help them achieve that from second place, and Antonelli will start just behind the leader.
Previous Results
Piastri was victorious then – as he did the previous season, as well. The driver from McLaren is attempting a hat-trick.
Sprint Race Value
Alright, approximately 20 minutes to go until the short race begins. Barring disaster, it's greatest value is as an indication of future events, rather than significant in its own right, with only eight points available to the winner. Mind you, second place in this race was enough for the driver to become champion two years ago.
Max Verstappen wins F1 world title after Pérez crashes out of the short race.
