Qatar Short Race and Main Event Qualifying: Live Updates
Opening Notes
Our correspondent will be here shortly to cover this day's sprint race (14:00 GMT) and grid-setting session (18:00 GMT).
Live Feed
Formation Lap Time
The formation lap is underway.
Track Information
We have nineteen laps around the lengthiest track in Formula 1, David Croft informs us.
Final Moments
The countdown has begun.
Racer Positions
One point in Max Verstappen's favour: his teammate Tsunoda is ahead of him by a single position. He is unlikely to challenge the team's lead driver.
Interview Updates
Sky speaking with Sky currently: Gary Neville is with Mercedes.
Karun Chandhok is jumping ahead to the 2026 season, interviewing Adrian Newey about his promotion to the team lead role.
Grid Details
Just 16 cars on the grid. This followed another poor grid-setting session for the driver: after coming 20th and last in the previous race, resulting in an eighth-place finish in the grand prix, he did not manage to make it out of the first qualifying segment once more on the previous day. Ferrari have as a result made changes to his car configuration and so he begins from the starting area.
Aston Martin's Lance Stroll and the Alpine duo of Gasly and Colapinto are all doing likewise.
Driver Comments
"We take the experience for tomorrow," says Hadjar, starting eleventh. Expect plenty of learning.
Team Standings
The focus isn't solely on the drivers' title: McLaren have run away with the team championship but the team, with a forty-point advantage over Red Bull, will be hoping to secure the runner-up position this weekend. George Russell can help them achieve that from the front row, and Kimi Antonelli will begin immediately after the leader.
Past Performance
Oscar Piastri was victorious then – as he managed the previous season, as well. McLaren's Australian is attempting a third consecutive win.
Sprint Race Value
Right, just over 20 minutes to go till the sprint race gets under way. Unless something goes wrong, it's greatest value is as an indication of what is to come, rather than significant in its own right, with only eight points awarded to the winner. However, second place in this race was sufficient for the driver to become champion in a prior season.
The driver wins the championship following his teammate's accident of the short race.
