Qatar's Short Race and Grand Prix Qualifying: Live Updates
Opening Notes
Philip is arriving soon to take you through today's sprint race (14:00 GMT) and grid-setting session (6pm).
Real-Time Updates
Formation Lap Period
The starting lap has started.
Track Information
We have 19 laps of the longest circuit in F1, David Croft informs us.
Countdown
The countdown is on.
Racer Positions
An advantage in Verstappen's advantage: his fellow driver Yuki Tsunoda is ahead of him by one place. He is unlikely to interfere with the team's lead driver.
Interview Updates
Sky's internal discussion now: the analyst is at the Mercedes team.
Karun Chandhok is looking forward to the 2026 season, speaking with Adrian Newey about his promotion to the team lead role.
Starting Positions
There are only 16 cars on the grid. It was another poor grid-setting session for the driver: following his result of twentieth and final in Las Vegas, leading to an eighth-place finish in the grand prix, he did not manage to advance of the first qualifying segment again on the previous day. Ferrari have as a result made changes to his car configuration and so he will start from the pit lane.
The team's Stroll and the Alpine duo of Gasly and Colapinto are all starting from the same position.
Driver Comments
"We'll use the learning for tomorrow," says Isack Hadjar, 11th on the grid. There will be a lot of that.
Team Standings
It's not all about the individual championship: The team have run away with the constructors' gong but the team, with a 40-point lead over their rivals, are aiming to seal second place this weekend. Russell can assist in this goal from the front row, and Kimi Antonelli will begin immediately after the leader.
Past Performance
Piastri won that day – as he did the previous season, as well. McLaren's Australian is attempting a third consecutive win.
Short Race Importance
Right, just over 20 minutes to go till the short race gets under way. Unless something goes wrong, its main importance is as an indication of future events, rather than significant in its itself, with only eight points available to the winner. Mind you, the runner-up spot in this race was sufficient for the driver to claim the title in a prior season.
The driver claimed the championship after his teammate's accident of Qatar GP sprint race.
