Qatar Short Race and Main Event Qualifying: Real-Time Coverage
Opening Notes
Our correspondent is about to begin to cover this day's sprint race (14:00 GMT) and qualifying (6pm).
Live Feed
Formation Lap Period
The warm-up lap has started.
Circuit Details
We have nineteen laps of the longest circuit in F1, the commentator reminds us.
Countdown
The final countdown has begun.
Driver Situation
One point in Verstappen's favour: his teammate Tsunoda is ahead of him by a single position. He is unlikely to interfere with Red Bull's main man.
Media Conversations
Sky interviewing Sky currently: Gary Neville is with Mercedes.
The analyst is jumping ahead to 2026, speaking with Adrian Newey about his stepping up to Aston Martin team principal.
Starting Positions
Just sixteen vehicles on the grid. This followed another poor grid-setting session for Lewis Hamilton: following his result of 20th and last in Las Vegas, leading to an eighth position in the main race, he did not manage to make it out of Q1 again on the previous day. Ferrari have as a result adjusted to his car configuration and so he begins from the starting area.
Aston Martin's Lance Stroll and the Alpine pair of Gasly and Franco Colapinto are all doing likewise.
Driver Comments
"We take the experience for tomorrow," says Isack Hadjar, 11th on the grid. Expect a lot of that.
Team Standings
The focus isn't solely on the drivers' title: McLaren have run away with the team championship but Mercedes, with a 40-point lead over their rivals, will be hoping to seal second place during this event. Russell can assist in this goal from the front row, and Kimi Antonelli will start just behind the leader.
Past Performance
Oscar Piastri was victorious then – as he did last year, as well. The driver from McLaren is going for a hat-trick.
Short Race Importance
Alright, approximately 20 minutes remaining till the short race gets under way. Barring disaster, its main importance is as a preview of future events, instead of significant in its itself, with just eight championship points awarded to the victor. However, the runner-up spot here was enough for Verstappen to become champion two years ago.
The driver claimed F1 world title following Pérez crashes out of the short race.
