Qatar's Short Race and Grand Prix Qualifying: Live Coverage
Preamble
The author is about to begin to take you through today's sprint race (14:00 GMT) and qualifying (6pm).
Real-Time Updates
Starting Lap Time
The warm-up lap has started.
Track Information
There are 19 laps of the longest circuit in Formula One, the commentator informs us.
Final Moments
The countdown is on.
Driver Situation
An advantage in Max Verstappen's advantage: his fellow driver Tsunoda is in front of him by one place. He is unlikely to interfere with Red Bull's main man.
Interview Updates
Sky speaking with Sky currently: Gary Neville is with Mercedes.
The analyst is looking forward to the 2026 season, interviewing the engineer about his promotion to the team lead role.
Grid Details
Just 16 cars on the grid. This followed another bad qualifying for Lewis Hamilton: after coming twentieth and final in Las Vegas, leading to an eighth position in the main race, he failed to make it out of the first qualifying segment again on Friday. Ferrari have consequently adjusted to his setup and so he will start from the starting area.
The team's Lance Stroll and the Alpine duo of Pierre Gasly and Colapinto are all starting from the same position.
Driver Comments
"We'll use the experience for the next day," says Hadjar, starting eleventh. Expect plenty of learning.
Constructors' Championship
The focus isn't solely on the drivers' title: McLaren have dominated the constructors' gong but Mercedes, with a 40-point lead over their rivals, will be hoping to seal second place this weekend. Russell can assist in this goal from second place, and Kimi Antonelli will start just behind the leader.
Past Performance
Piastri was victorious then – as he managed the previous season, too. The driver from McLaren is going for a hat-trick.
Sprint Race Value
Right, just over 20 minutes remaining till the short race begins. 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, second place in this race was sufficient for Verstappen to become champion two years ago.
The driver claimed F1 world title after Pérez crashes out of the short race.
