Qatar's Short Race and Grand Prix Qualifying: Live Coverage
Preamble
Our correspondent is arriving soon to guide you through this day's short race (14:00 GMT) and qualifying (6pm).
Current Events
Formation Lap Period
The starting lap has begun.
Circuit Details
There are 19 laps around the lengthiest track in Formula 1, the commentator points out.
Final Moments
The final countdown is underway.
Driver Situation
An advantage in Verstappen's favour: his fellow driver Tsunoda is in front of him by one place. He is unlikely to challenge Red Bull's lead driver.
Interview Updates
Sky interviewing Sky now: Gary Neville is at the Mercedes team.
The analyst is looking forward to the 2026 season, interviewing the engineer about his stepping up to Aston Martin team principal.
Starting Positions
Just sixteen vehicles on the grid. It was another poor grid-setting session for the driver: after coming twentieth and final in the previous race, leading to an eighth position in the main race, he failed to make it out of the first qualifying segment again on the previous day. Ferrari have consequently made changes to his setup and so he will start from the starting area.
The team's Stroll and the Alpine pair of Pierre Gasly and Colapinto are all doing likewise.
Racer Statements
"We take the experience for the next day," 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 the team, with a 40-point lead over Red Bull, are aiming to seal second place during this event. George Russell can assist in this goal from second place, and Kimi Antonelli will begin immediately after the leader.
Previous Results
Oscar Piastri was victorious then – as he managed last year, too. The driver from McLaren is going for a hat-trick.
Sprint Race Value
Right, approximately 20 minutes to go until the short race gets under way. Barring disaster, it's greatest value is as a preview of what is to come, instead of highly important in its itself, with only eight points awarded to the winner. However, the runner-up spot here was sufficient for the driver to claim the title two years ago.
Max Verstappen claimed F1 world title following his teammate's accident of the short race.
