Qatar Short Race and Grand Prix Qualifying: Live Updates
Preamble
The author will be here shortly to take you through this day's sprint race (2pm GMT) and grid-setting session (18:00 GMT).
Live Feed
Formation Lap Period
The formation lap has begun.
Track Information
We have 19 laps around the lengthiest track in Formula One, David Croft informs us.
Countdown
The countdown is on.
Racer Positions
An advantage in Max Verstappen's favour: his teammate Tsunoda is in front of him by one place. He is unlikely to mess with the team's main man.
Media Conversations
Sky speaking with Sky currently: the analyst is at the Mercedes team.
Karun Chandhok is jumping ahead to 2026, interviewing the engineer about his stepping up to Aston Martin lead role.
Grid Details
Just 16 cars on the grid. This followed another poor grid-setting session for the driver: after coming twentieth and final in the previous race, resulting in an eighth-place finish in the main race, he failed to advance of Q1 once more on Friday. Ferrari have consequently adjusted to his setup and so he begins from the starting area.
The team's Stroll and the Alpine pair of Pierre Gasly and Franco Colapinto are all starting from the same position.
Racer Statements
"We take the learning for the next day," states Hadjar, starting eleventh. There will be a lot of that.
Constructors' Championship
The focus isn't solely on the individual championship: McLaren have dominated the team championship but the team, with a 40-point lead over their rivals, are aiming to seal second place during this event. George Russell can assist in this goal from second place, and Kimi Antonelli will start just behind the leader.
Previous Results
Oscar Piastri won that day – as he did last year, too. The driver from McLaren is attempting a hat-trick.
Sprint Race Value
Right, just over twenty minutes to go till the sprint 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 only eight points available to the winner. However, second place here was sufficient for Verstappen to claim the title in a prior season.
The driver claimed the championship following his teammate's accident of the short race.
