Qatar Short Race and Grand Prix Qualifying: Live Coverage

Preamble

Philip is arriving soon to guide you through this day's short race (14:00 GMT) and grid-setting session (18:00 GMT).

Real-Time Updates

Formation Lap Time

The warm-up lap is underway.

Circuit Details

We have 19 laps around the lengthiest track in Formula 1, David Croft informs us.

Countdown

The last moments has begun.

Racer Positions

An advantage in Verstappen's advantage: his fellow driver Tsunoda is ahead of him by one place. He is unlikely to challenge the team's lead driver.

Interview Updates

Sky speaking with Sky currently: Gary Neville is at the Mercedes team.

The analyst is looking forward to 2026, speaking with Adrian Newey about his promotion to the team lead role.

Starting Positions

There are only sixteen vehicles 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 main race, he failed to make it out of Q1 again on the previous day. Ferrari have as a result adjusted to his setup and so he begins from the starting area.

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

Racer Statements

"We take the experience for tomorrow," says Hadjar, 11th on the grid. There will be plenty of learning.

Team Standings

The focus isn't solely on the individual championship: The team have dominated the team championship but the team, with a 40-point lead over Red Bull, are aiming to seal second place this weekend. 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 managed last year, too. McLaren's Australian is going for a third consecutive win.

Sprint Race Value

Alright, approximately 20 minutes remaining till the short race begins. Barring disaster, it's greatest value is as a preview of future events, instead of significant in its own right, with just eight championship points available to the winner. Mind you, the runner-up spot here was sufficient for the driver to become champion in a prior season.

The driver claimed the championship after his teammate's accident of Qatar GP sprint race.