Qatar Short Race and Grand Prix Qualifying: Real-Time Coverage
Introduction
Our correspondent is arriving soon to cover this day's sprint race (14:00 GMT) and grid-setting session (6pm).
Real-Time Updates
Starting Lap Time
The starting lap has started.
Track Information
We have nineteen laps around the lengthiest track in F1, David Croft reminds us.
Final Moments
The last moments has begun.
Racer Positions
An advantage in Max Verstappen's advantage: his fellow driver Tsunoda is in front of him by a single position. It's improbable to challenge the team's lead driver.
Media Conversations
Sky interviewing Sky currently: the analyst is with Mercedes.
The analyst is looking forward to 2026, interviewing Adrian Newey about his promotion to Aston Martin team principal.
Starting Positions
There are only 16 cars on the grid. This followed another bad qualifying for Lewis Hamilton: following his result of twentieth and final in the previous race, resulting in an eighth position in the main race, he failed to make it out of Q1 again on the previous day. Ferrari have consequently 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 doing likewise.
Driver Comments
"We take the learning for the next day," says Isack Hadjar, 11th on the grid. There will be plenty of learning.
Team Standings
The focus isn't solely on the individual championship: The team have dominated the constructors' gong but the team, with a forty-point advantage over their rivals, are aiming to secure the runner-up position this weekend. Russell can assist in this goal from second place, and Kimi Antonelli will begin immediately after Verstappen.
Previous Results
Oscar Piastri won that day – as he did the previous season, as well. The driver from McLaren is attempting a third consecutive win.
Sprint Race Value
Right, approximately 20 minutes remaining until the short race gets under way. Barring disaster, its main importance is as a preview of future events, rather than significant in its itself, with just eight championship points awarded to the winner. Mind you, the runner-up spot here was enough for Verstappen to become champion in a prior season.
The driver wins F1 world title following his teammate's accident of the short race.
