Qatar Short Race and Grand Prix Qualifying: Real-Time Coverage
Introduction
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 Time
The formation lap has begun.
Circuit Details
We have 19 laps of the longest circuit in Formula 1, the commentator informs us.
Final Moments
The countdown has begun.
Racer Positions
An advantage in Max Verstappen's advantage: his fellow driver Yuki Tsunoda is ahead of him by one place. It's improbable to mess with Red Bull's main man.
Interview Updates
Sky's internal discussion now: Gary Neville is with Mercedes.
Karun Chandhok is jumping ahead to the 2026 season, interviewing the engineer about his stepping up to the team team principal.
Grid Details
Just sixteen vehicles on the grid. It was another poor grid-setting session for Lewis Hamilton: after coming twentieth and final in the previous race, resulting in an eighth-place finish in the main race, he failed to make it out of the first qualifying segment again on the previous day. Ferrari have consequently adjusted to his setup and so he will start from the pit lane.
Aston Martin's Stroll and the Alpine pair of Gasly and Colapinto are all starting from the same position.
Driver Comments
"We'll use the learning for the next day," says Hadjar, starting eleventh. There will be plenty of learning.
Constructors' Championship
It's not all about the individual championship: The team have run away with the constructors' gong but the team, 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 start just behind the leader.
Previous Results
Oscar Piastri was victorious then – as he did last year, as well. The driver from McLaren is going for a third consecutive win.
Short Race Importance
Right, approximately twenty minutes to go until the sprint race begins. Barring disaster, its main importance is as a preview of what is to come, instead of highly important in its itself, with only eight points awarded to the victor. However, the runner-up spot here was sufficient for the driver to claim the title in a prior season.
The driver claimed the championship following his teammate's accident of Qatar GP sprint race.
