Qatar's Sprint Race and Grand Prix Qualifying: Live Coverage
Preamble
Philip will be here shortly to cover this day's short race (14:00 GMT) and grid-setting session (18:00 GMT).
Current Events
Formation Lap Period
The formation lap is underway.
Circuit Details
There are 19 laps of the longest circuit in F1, David Croft informs us.
Final Moments
The countdown is underway.
Driver Situation
One point in Verstappen's advantage: his fellow driver Tsunoda is in front of him by one place. It's improbable to challenge Red Bull's lead driver.
Interview Updates
Sky interviewing Sky now: Gary Neville is with Mercedes.
Karun Chandhok is looking forward to 2026, speaking with Adrian Newey about his stepping up to Aston Martin lead role.
Grid Details
Just sixteen vehicles on the grid. It was another bad qualifying for Lewis Hamilton: after coming 20th and last in the previous race, resulting in an eighth position in the grand prix, he did not manage to make it out of Q1 again on the previous day. The team have as a result adjusted to his car configuration and so he begins 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 experience for tomorrow," says Isack Hadjar, starting eleventh. Expect a lot of that.
Constructors' Championship
It's not all about the drivers' title: The team have dominated the constructors' gong but Mercedes, with a 40-point lead over their rivals, will be hoping to secure the runner-up position this weekend. Russell can help them achieve that from second place, and Antonelli will start just behind the leader.
Previous Results
Piastri won that day – as he did the previous season, too. The driver from McLaren is attempting a hat-trick.
Short Race Importance
Alright, approximately twenty minutes to go until the short race begins. Barring disaster, it's greatest value is as an indication of future events, instead of highly important in its own right, with only eight points available to the victor. However, the runner-up spot in this race was enough for Verstappen to claim the title two years ago.
Max Verstappen claimed F1 world title following Pérez crashes out of the short race.
