Qatar Short Race and Grand Prix Qualifying: Real-Time Updates

Opening Notes

Philip is about to begin to cover today's sprint race (14:00 GMT) and qualifying (18:00 GMT).

Live Feed

Starting Lap Period

The formation lap has started.

Circuit Details

There are nineteen laps of the longest circuit in F1, the commentator informs us.

Final Moments

The last moments is underway.

Racer Positions

One point in 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 interviewing Sky now: Gary Neville is at the Mercedes team.

Karun Chandhok is jumping ahead to 2026, speaking with the engineer about his stepping up to the team lead role.

Grid Details

Just sixteen vehicles 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 main race, he did not manage to make it out of Q1 once more on the previous day. Ferrari have as a result adjusted to his car configuration and so he begins from the starting area.

The team's Lance Stroll and the Alpine duo of Pierre Gasly and Colapinto are all starting from the same position.

Racer Statements

"We'll use the learning for tomorrow," says Hadjar, starting eleventh. Expect a lot of that.

Constructors' Championship

The focus isn't solely on the individual championship: McLaren have run away with the constructors' gong but Mercedes, with a 40-point lead over their rivals, will be hoping to secure the runner-up position this weekend. Russell can help them achieve that from second place, and Kimi Antonelli will start just behind Verstappen.

Past Performance

Oscar Piastri was victorious then – as he did the previous season, too. McLaren's Australian is going for a hat-trick.

Sprint Race Value

Alright, approximately 20 minutes to go until the sprint race begins. Unless something goes wrong, its main importance is as a preview of future events, instead of significant in its itself, with just eight championship points available to the victor. However, second place here was sufficient for Verstappen to claim the title in a prior season.

The driver wins the championship following Pérez crashes out of the short race.