Qatar's Short Race and Main Event Qualifying: Live Coverage
Preamble
Philip will be here shortly to take you through this day's short race (14:00 GMT) and qualifying (18:00 GMT).
Live Feed
Formation Lap Period
The formation lap has begun.
Circuit Details
We have 19 laps of the longest circuit in Formula 1, David Croft reminds us.
Countdown
The countdown has begun.
Racer Positions
An advantage in Verstappen's advantage: his teammate Yuki Tsunoda is in front of him by one place. He is unlikely to mess with the team's main man.
Media Conversations
Sky interviewing Sky currently: the analyst is with Mercedes.
Karun Chandhok is looking forward to 2026, speaking with Adrian Newey about his promotion to the team team principal.
Starting Positions
There are only sixteen vehicles on the grid. It was another bad qualifying for Lewis Hamilton: following his result of twentieth and final in Las Vegas, resulting in an eighth position in the main race, he did not manage to advance of Q1 once more on the previous day. The team have consequently made changes to his setup and so he will start from the starting area.
Aston Martin's Stroll and the Alpine pair of Gasly and Franco Colapinto are all doing likewise.
Racer Statements
"We take the learning for tomorrow," says Isack Hadjar, 11th on the grid. There will be a lot of that.
Team Standings
The focus isn't solely on the drivers' title: The team have dominated the constructors' gong but Mercedes, with a 40-point lead over Red Bull, are aiming to seal second place during this event. Russell can assist in this goal from the front row, and Kimi Antonelli will begin immediately after Verstappen.
Past Performance
Piastri was victorious then – as he managed the previous season, as well. The driver from McLaren is attempting a third consecutive win.
Short Race Importance
Alright, just over 20 minutes remaining until the sprint race gets under way. Barring disaster, it's greatest value is as a preview of what is to come, rather than highly important in its own right, with just eight championship points awarded to the victor. Mind you, second place in this race was enough for the driver to claim the title in a prior season.
The driver wins the championship following his teammate's accident of Qatar GP sprint race.
