Qatar's Short Race and Grand Prix Qualifying: Real-Time Updates
Opening Notes
Our correspondent is arriving soon to take you through this day's sprint race (2pm GMT) and qualifying (6pm).
Current Events
Starting Lap Time
The starting lap has started.
Track Information
There are 19 laps of the longest circuit in Formula 1, David Croft points out.
Countdown
The last moments is on.
Driver Situation
An advantage in Verstappen's favour: his fellow driver Tsunoda is ahead of him by a single position. He is unlikely to challenge Red Bull's main man.
Media Conversations
Sky speaking with Sky currently: the analyst is with Mercedes.
The analyst is looking forward to 2026, speaking with Adrian Newey about his promotion to Aston Martin lead role.
Grid Details
Just 16 cars on the grid. This followed another bad qualifying for the driver: following his result of 20th and last in the previous race, resulting in an eighth-place finish in the grand prix, he failed to make it out of the first qualifying segment again on the previous day. The team have as a result made changes to his car configuration and so he will start from the starting area.
The team's Lance Stroll and the Alpine pair of Pierre Gasly and Colapinto are all starting from the same position.
Racer Statements
"We take the learning for the next day," says Isack Hadjar, starting eleventh. There will be a lot of that.
Team Standings
It's not all about the drivers' title: McLaren have dominated the team championship but the team, with a 40-point lead over Red Bull, are aiming 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.
Previous Results
Oscar Piastri was victorious then – as he managed the previous season, too. The driver from McLaren is going for a third consecutive win.
Short Race Importance
Alright, approximately 20 minutes to go until the sprint race begins. Unless something goes wrong, its main importance is as an indication of future events, instead of significant in its own right, with only eight points available to the victor. Mind you, second place here was enough for Verstappen to become champion in a prior season.
Max Verstappen wins the championship after his teammate's accident of Qatar GP sprint race.
