Qatar Short Race and Grand Prix Qualifying: Live Updates

Introduction

Our correspondent is about to begin to guide you through today's short race (14:00 GMT) and grid-setting session (18:00 GMT).

Live Feed

Formation Lap Time

The formation lap has begun.

Track Information

We have 19 laps around the lengthiest track in F1, David Croft points out.

Countdown

The final countdown has begun.

Driver Situation

An advantage in Verstappen's favour: his fellow driver Yuki Tsunoda is in front of him by one place. He is unlikely to mess with the team's lead driver.

Media Conversations

Sky interviewing Sky currently: the analyst is with Mercedes.

Karun Chandhok is jumping ahead to 2026, interviewing the engineer about his promotion to the team lead role.

Grid Details

There are only sixteen vehicles on the grid. This followed another bad qualifying for Lewis Hamilton: 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 make it out of Q1 once more on Friday. Ferrari have consequently adjusted to his car configuration and so he will start from the pit lane.

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

Racer Statements

"We'll use 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 drivers' title: The team have dominated the team championship but Mercedes, with a 40-point lead over their rivals, will be hoping to secure the runner-up position this weekend. George Russell can help them achieve that from second place, and Antonelli will begin immediately after the leader.

Previous Results

Oscar Piastri won that day – as he did last year, too. McLaren's Australian is going for a hat-trick.

Sprint Race Value

Right, just over twenty minutes to go till the sprint race gets under way. Unless something goes wrong, it's greatest value is as a preview of future events, instead of highly important in its itself, with only eight points awarded to the victor. However, second place here was sufficient for the driver to become champion in a prior season.

Max Verstappen wins the championship after his teammate's accident of Qatar GP sprint race.