Qatar's Short Race and Grand Prix Qualifying: Real-Time Coverage
Introduction
The author will be here shortly to take you through this day's sprint race (2pm GMT) and qualifying (6pm).
Live Feed
Starting Lap Period
The starting lap has started.
Track Information
There are nineteen laps around the lengthiest track in Formula One, the commentator points out.
Countdown
The last moments has begun.
Racer Positions
An advantage in Max Verstappen's advantage: his fellow driver Yuki Tsunoda is ahead of him by one place. He is unlikely to mess with the team's lead driver.
Interview Updates
Sky's internal discussion now: Gary Neville is at the Mercedes team.
Karun Chandhok is looking forward to 2026, speaking with the engineer about his stepping up to the team lead role.
Starting Positions
Just 16 cars on the grid. It was another poor grid-setting session for the driver: after coming twentieth and final in Las Vegas, resulting in an eighth position in the grand prix, he did not manage to make it out of Q1 again on the previous day. Ferrari have consequently made changes to his car configuration and so he will start from the pit lane.
Aston Martin's Stroll and the Alpine pair of Pierre Gasly and Colapinto are all doing likewise.
Racer Statements
"We take the learning for tomorrow," says Isack Hadjar, 11th on the grid. There will be a lot of that.
Constructors' Championship
It's not all about the drivers' title: McLaren have run away with the team championship but Mercedes, with a forty-point advantage over their rivals, are aiming to seal second place during this event. George Russell can assist in this goal from the front row, and Kimi Antonelli will begin immediately after the leader.
Past Performance
Oscar Piastri was victorious then – as he did last year, as well. The driver from McLaren is attempting a third consecutive win.
Short Race Importance
Alright, just over 20 minutes remaining until the sprint race begins. Unless something goes wrong, its main importance is as a preview of what is to come, instead of highly important in its itself, with just eight championship points available to the victor. However, second place here was sufficient for the driver to claim the title in a prior season.
The driver wins the championship after Pérez crashes out of Qatar GP sprint race.
