Qatar's Short Race and Grand Prix Qualifying: Real-Time Coverage
Opening Notes
The author will be here shortly to cover today's sprint race (14:00 GMT) and qualifying (6pm).
Current Events
Formation Lap Time
The formation lap has started.
Track Information
We have 19 laps around the lengthiest track in Formula One, David Croft reminds us.
Countdown
The countdown has begun.
Racer Positions
An advantage in Verstappen's favour: his teammate Yuki Tsunoda is ahead of him by one place. It's improbable to interfere with the team's main man.
Media Conversations
Sky interviewing Sky currently: the analyst is at the Mercedes team.
Karun Chandhok is looking forward to the 2026 season, interviewing Adrian Newey about his promotion to the team team principal.
Grid Details
Just 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, resulting in an eighth position in the main race, he failed to make it out of the first qualifying segment once more on the previous day. Ferrari have consequently made changes to his setup and so he will start from the starting area.
Aston Martin's Lance Stroll and the Alpine pair of Gasly and Franco Colapinto are all starting from the same position.
Racer Statements
"We'll use the experience for tomorrow," says Isack Hadjar, 11th on the grid. There will be plenty of learning.
Constructors' Championship
The focus isn't solely on the drivers' title: McLaren have dominated the team championship but the team, with a forty-point advantage over their rivals, will be hoping to seal second place this weekend. Russell can help them achieve that from the front row, and Kimi Antonelli will begin immediately after the leader.
Previous Results
Oscar Piastri was victorious then – as he managed the previous season, as well. McLaren's Australian is attempting a third consecutive win.
Sprint Race Value
Right, just over 20 minutes remaining till the short race gets under way. Barring disaster, it's greatest value is as a preview of what is to come, rather than significant in its itself, with just eight championship points available to the winner. Mind you, the runner-up spot here was enough for the driver to claim the title in a prior season.
Max Verstappen wins the championship after Pérez crashes out of the short race.
