Qatar's Short Race and Main Event Qualifying: Live Updates
Opening Notes
The author is arriving soon to cover this day's short race (14:00 GMT) and grid-setting session (6pm).
Current Events
Warm-Up Lap Time
The warm-up lap is underway.
Track Information
We have 19 laps around the lengthiest track in F1, David Croft reminds us.
Final Moments
The countdown is underway.
Racer Positions
One point in Max Verstappen's advantage: his fellow driver Tsunoda is ahead of him by one place. It's improbable to mess with the team's lead driver.
Media Conversations
Sky speaking with Sky now: the analyst is with Mercedes.
The analyst is jumping ahead to the 2026 season, interviewing the engineer about his promotion to the team team principal.
Grid Details
Just sixteen vehicles on the grid. This followed another poor grid-setting session for Lewis Hamilton: following his result of twentieth and final in Las Vegas, leading to an eighth-place finish in the main race, he failed to advance of Q1 once more on the previous day. Ferrari have as a result adjusted to his car configuration and so he begins from the pit lane.
Aston Martin's Lance Stroll and the Alpine pair of Gasly and Colapinto are all doing likewise.
Racer Statements
"We take the experience for the next day," states Hadjar, 11th on the grid. Expect plenty of learning.
Constructors' Championship
It's not all about the drivers' title: The team have dominated the constructors' gong but Mercedes, with a 40-point lead over their rivals, will be hoping to secure the runner-up position this weekend. George Russell can help them achieve that from the front row, and Antonelli will start just behind the leader.
Past Performance
Oscar Piastri was victorious then – as he managed last year, as well. McLaren's Australian is going for a third consecutive win.
Sprint Race Value
Alright, just over 20 minutes to go till the short race gets under way. Barring disaster, it's greatest value is as a preview of future events, instead of significant in its own right, with just eight championship points available to the victor. However, second place in this race was enough for Verstappen to become champion two years ago.
The driver wins F1 world title following Pérez crashes out of Qatar GP sprint race.
