Qatar Short Race and Grand Prix Qualifying: Real-Time Coverage
Introduction
Our correspondent is about to begin to cover this day's sprint race (2pm GMT) and qualifying (6pm).
Real-Time Updates
Starting Lap Period
The warm-up lap has begun.
Track Information
We have 19 laps around the lengthiest track in F1, David Croft points out.
Final Moments
The last moments is underway.
Racer Positions
One point in Max Verstappen's advantage: his fellow driver Yuki Tsunoda is ahead of him by a single position. It's improbable to interfere with Red Bull's main man.
Interview Updates
Sky's internal discussion currently: Gary Neville is with Mercedes.
The analyst is looking forward to 2026, interviewing the engineer about his stepping up to the team team principal.
Grid Details
Just 16 cars on the grid. This followed another poor grid-setting session for the driver: following his result of 20th and last in Las Vegas, leading to an eighth position in the grand prix, he did not manage to make it out of Q1 again on Friday. The team have consequently made changes to his car configuration and so he begins from the pit lane.
Aston Martin's Stroll and the Alpine pair of Pierre Gasly and Franco Colapinto are all doing likewise.
Driver Comments
"We'll use the learning for the next day," states Isack Hadjar, starting eleventh. Expect a lot of that.
Constructors' Championship
The focus isn't solely on the drivers' title: The team have dominated the constructors' gong but the team, with a forty-point advantage over Red Bull, will be hoping to secure the runner-up position this weekend. Russell can help them achieve that from the front row, and Kimi Antonelli will begin immediately after Verstappen.
Previous Results
Piastri was victorious then – as he did last year, as well. The driver from McLaren is going for a third consecutive win.
Short Race Importance
Alright, approximately twenty minutes remaining until the sprint race begins. Unless something goes wrong, it's greatest value is as a preview of what is to come, instead of significant in its itself, with only eight points available to the victor. However, second place here was sufficient for the driver to become champion in a prior season.
Max Verstappen claimed the championship after his teammate's accident of the short race.
