Qatar Short Race and Grand Prix Qualifying: Live Updates
Introduction
Our correspondent will be here shortly to cover this day's short race (14:00 GMT) and qualifying (18:00 GMT).
Real-Time Updates
Warm-Up Lap Period
The warm-up lap has started.
Track Information
We have 19 laps of the longest circuit in F1, David Croft reminds us.
Final Moments
The final countdown is on.
Racer Positions
An advantage in Verstappen's advantage: his fellow driver Tsunoda is ahead of him by one place. It's improbable to mess with Red Bull's lead driver.
Interview Updates
Sky speaking with Sky now: the analyst is with Mercedes.
The analyst is looking forward to the 2026 season, interviewing the engineer about his promotion to Aston Martin team principal.
Grid Details
Just sixteen vehicles on the grid. It was another bad qualifying for the driver: following his result of twentieth and final in Las Vegas, leading to an eighth-place finish in the grand prix, he did not manage to make it out of Q1 again on the previous day. The team have as a result made changes to his setup and so he will start from the starting area.
The team's Lance Stroll and the Alpine pair of Gasly and Colapinto are all doing likewise.
Racer Statements
"We'll use the learning for tomorrow," says Hadjar, 11th on the grid. Expect a lot of that.
Team Standings
It's not all about the individual championship: McLaren have dominated the team championship but Mercedes, with a 40-point lead over Red Bull, will be hoping to seal second place during this event. 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 managed the previous season, too. McLaren's Australian is going for a third consecutive win.
Sprint Race Value
Alright, approximately twenty minutes remaining until the short race gets under way. Unless something goes wrong, its main importance is as a preview of future events, instead of significant in its own right, with just eight championship points available to the victor. However, the runner-up spot here was enough for the driver to become champion two years ago.
The driver claimed the championship following Pérez crashes out of Qatar GP sprint race.
