Qatar Short Race and Main Event Qualifying: Real-Time Coverage

Opening Notes

Our correspondent is about to begin to take you through this day's short race (2pm GMT) and qualifying (18:00 GMT).

Current Events

Warm-Up Lap Time

The formation lap has started.

Circuit Details

We have 19 laps around the lengthiest track in Formula One, David Croft points out.

Final Moments

The last moments has begun.

Driver Situation

One point in Verstappen's advantage: his teammate Tsunoda is in front of him by a single position. It's improbable to interfere with Red Bull's main man.

Media Conversations

Sky interviewing Sky now: the analyst is at the Mercedes team.

Karun Chandhok 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. It was another bad qualifying for the driver: following his result of twentieth and final in the previous race, resulting in an eighth-place finish in the main race, he failed to advance of Q1 once more on Friday. The team have as a result made changes to his setup and so he begins from the starting area.

Aston Martin's Stroll and the Alpine duo of Pierre Gasly and Franco Colapinto are all starting from the same position.

Driver Comments

"We take the learning for the next day," says Isack Hadjar, starting eleventh. Expect a lot of that.

Constructors' Championship

The focus isn't solely on the individual championship: The team have run away with the constructors' gong but Mercedes, with a 40-point lead over their rivals, will be hoping to seal second place during this event. Russell can help them achieve that from the front row, and Kimi Antonelli will begin immediately after Verstappen.

Past Performance

Piastri won that day – as he did last year, as well. The driver from McLaren is going for a third consecutive win.

Sprint Race Value

Right, just over 20 minutes remaining till the short race gets under way. Barring disaster, its main importance is as an indication of future events, instead of significant in its own right, with only eight points awarded to the winner. Mind you, the runner-up spot in this race was enough for Verstappen to claim the title two years ago.

The driver claimed the championship following Pérez crashes out of Qatar GP sprint race.