Qatar's Short Race and Grand Prix Qualifying: Live Coverage
Introduction
The author will be here shortly to guide you through this day's short race (14:00 GMT) and grid-setting session (18:00 GMT).
Live Feed
Formation Lap Time
The formation lap has begun.
Track Information
We have 19 laps around the lengthiest track in F1, David Croft reminds us.
Final Moments
The last moments is on.
Racer Positions
One point in Max Verstappen's advantage: his fellow driver Yuki Tsunoda is ahead of him by a single position. It's improbable to interfere with Red Bull's main man.
Media Conversations
Sky's internal discussion currently: the analyst is with Mercedes.
The analyst is jumping ahead to the 2026 season, speaking with Adrian Newey about his promotion to the team lead role.
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 position in the main race, he failed to advance of Q1 once more on Friday. Ferrari have as a result made changes to his setup and so he begins from the starting area.
Aston Martin's Stroll and the Alpine duo of Gasly and Colapinto are all doing likewise.
Driver Comments
"We'll use the experience for the next day," says Hadjar, 11th on the grid. Expect a lot of that.
Constructors' Championship
The focus isn't solely on the drivers' title: McLaren have dominated the constructors' gong but the team, with a 40-point lead over their rivals, are aiming to secure the runner-up position this weekend. George Russell can assist in this goal from the front row, and Antonelli will begin immediately after the leader.
Previous Results
Piastri won that day – as he did the previous season, as well. The driver from McLaren is attempting a hat-trick.
Short Race Importance
Alright, approximately 20 minutes remaining till the sprint race gets under way. Barring disaster, its main importance is as a preview of future events, rather than highly important in its own right, with only eight points available to the victor. Mind you, the runner-up spot here was enough for the driver to claim the title in a prior season.
Max Verstappen claimed the championship after Pérez crashes out of Qatar GP sprint race.
