Qatar Short Race and Grand Prix Qualifying: Live Updates
Introduction
Our correspondent will be here shortly to guide you through today's short race (14:00 GMT) and grid-setting session (6pm).
Current Events
Starting Lap Period
The formation lap has started.
Track Information
We have nineteen laps of the longest circuit in Formula One, the commentator points out.
Final Moments
The last moments is underway.
Driver Situation
An advantage in Verstappen's favour: his fellow driver Yuki Tsunoda is ahead of him by a single position. He is unlikely to mess with Red Bull's lead driver.
Media Conversations
Sky's internal discussion currently: the analyst is at the Mercedes team.
Karun Chandhok is jumping ahead to the 2026 season, speaking with Adrian Newey about his stepping up to the team team principal.
Starting Positions
There are only 16 cars on the grid. This followed another poor grid-setting session for the driver: following his result of 20th and last in the previous race, resulting in an eighth-place finish in the main race, he did not manage to make it out of Q1 once more on the previous day. The team have as a result made changes to his car configuration and so he will start from the starting area.
Aston Martin's Lance Stroll and the Alpine duo of Pierre Gasly and Franco Colapinto are all doing likewise.
Racer Statements
"We take the learning for the next day," states Hadjar, starting eleventh. There will be a lot of that.
Constructors' Championship
The focus isn't solely on the individual championship: McLaren have dominated the constructors' gong but Mercedes, with a 40-point lead over their rivals, are aiming to secure the runner-up position this weekend. Russell can assist in this goal from the front row, and Antonelli will begin immediately after the leader.
Previous Results
Oscar Piastri was victorious then – as he did the previous season, too. McLaren's Australian is attempting a hat-trick.
Short Race Importance
Right, just over twenty minutes to go until the sprint race begins. Unless something goes wrong, it's greatest value is as a preview of what is to come, rather than significant in its own right, with only eight points awarded to the victor. Mind you, the runner-up spot here was sufficient for the driver to claim the title two years ago.
Max Verstappen wins F1 world title following PĂ©rez crashes out of Qatar GP sprint race.
