Qatar's Short Race and Main Event Qualifying: Live Updates
Introduction
Philip is arriving soon to take you through today's sprint race (14:00 GMT) and qualifying (18:00 GMT).
Live Feed
Formation Lap Time
The warm-up lap is underway.
Circuit Details
There are 19 laps around the lengthiest track in F1, David Croft points out.
Final Moments
The countdown is on.
Racer Positions
One point in Max Verstappen's favour: his fellow driver Yuki Tsunoda is ahead of him by one place. It's improbable to interfere with Red Bull's main man.
Media Conversations
Sky's internal discussion currently: Gary Neville is with Mercedes.
The analyst is looking forward to 2026, speaking with the engineer about his stepping up to the team team principal.
Starting Positions
There are only 16 cars on the grid. It was another poor grid-setting session for Lewis Hamilton: after coming 20th and last in Las Vegas, leading to an eighth position in the grand prix, he failed to advance of the first qualifying segment again on the previous day. Ferrari have as a result made changes to his setup and so he will start from the starting area.
The team's Stroll and the Alpine duo of Pierre Gasly and Franco Colapinto are all starting from the same position.
Racer Statements
"We'll use the learning for the next day," states Isack Hadjar, starting eleventh. Expect plenty of learning.
Team Standings
The focus isn't solely on the individual championship: McLaren have run away with the team championship but the team, with a 40-point lead over Red Bull, will be hoping to seal second place this weekend. Russell can assist in this goal from second place, and Kimi Antonelli will begin immediately after the leader.
Previous Results
Oscar Piastri won that day – as he did last year, as well. McLaren's Australian is going for a third consecutive win.
Sprint Race Value
Right, just over 20 minutes remaining until the short race gets under way. Unless something goes wrong, its main importance is as an indication of what is to come, rather than significant in its own right, with just eight championship points awarded to the winner. Mind you, the runner-up spot here was sufficient for Verstappen to claim the title two years ago.
The driver wins F1 world title after Pérez crashes out of the short race.