Qatar Short Race and Grand Prix Qualifying: Live Coverage

Preamble

Philip will be here shortly to guide you through today's short race (14:00 GMT) and grid-setting session (18:00 GMT).

Current Events

Formation Lap Period

The warm-up lap is underway.

Circuit Details

We have nineteen laps around the lengthiest track in Formula 1, the commentator informs us.

Final Moments

The last moments is on.

Driver Situation

One point in Max Verstappen's advantage: his fellow driver Tsunoda is in front of him by a single position. It's improbable to interfere with the team's lead driver.

Media Conversations

Sky's internal discussion currently: the analyst is at the Mercedes team.

Karun Chandhok is jumping ahead to 2026, speaking with Adrian Newey about his promotion to Aston Martin team principal.

Grid Details

There are only sixteen vehicles on the grid. It was another bad qualifying for the driver: after coming twentieth and final in the previous race, leading to an eighth position in the main race, he did not manage to make it out of Q1 again on the previous day. Ferrari have consequently made changes to his car configuration and so he begins from the pit lane.

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

Driver Comments

"We'll use the experience for tomorrow," states Isack Hadjar, 11th on the grid. There will be a lot of that.

Constructors' Championship

It's not all about the drivers' title: The team have run away with the constructors' gong but Mercedes, with a 40-point lead over Red Bull, will be hoping to seal second place this weekend. George Russell can assist in this goal from second place, and Kimi Antonelli will begin immediately after the leader.

Past Performance

Oscar Piastri won that day – as he did the previous season, as well. The driver from McLaren is going for a third consecutive win.

Sprint Race Value

Alright, just over 20 minutes remaining till the short race begins. Unless something goes wrong, its main importance is as an indication of what is to come, rather than significant in its itself, with only eight points available to the victor. Mind you, the runner-up spot in this race was enough for the driver to claim the title in a prior season.

The driver claimed the championship after his teammate's accident of the short race.