Qatar's Short Race and Main Event Qualifying: Real-Time Coverage
Opening Notes
The author will be here shortly to take you through today's sprint race (14:00 GMT) and qualifying (6pm).
Real-Time Updates
Warm-Up Lap Period
The formation lap has started.
Circuit Details
There are 19 laps of the longest circuit in Formula One, the commentator informs us.
Final Moments
The last moments is underway.
Racer Positions
One point in Verstappen's advantage: his teammate Tsunoda is ahead of him by one place. He is unlikely to challenge the team's main man.
Media Conversations
Sky speaking with Sky now: the analyst is at the Mercedes team.
The analyst is jumping ahead to 2026, speaking with Adrian Newey about his stepping up to the team team principal.
Grid Details
Just 16 cars on the grid. It was another bad qualifying for the driver: following his result of 20th and last in Las Vegas, resulting in an eighth position in the grand prix, he did not manage to make it out of the first qualifying segment again on the previous day. The team have as a result made changes to his setup and so he will start from the pit lane.
The team's Lance Stroll and the Alpine pair of Gasly and Colapinto are all doing likewise.
Driver Comments
"We take the learning for the next day," says Hadjar, 11th on the grid. Expect plenty of learning.
Team Standings
It's not all about the individual championship: McLaren have dominated the team championship but the team, with a 40-point lead over their rivals, will be hoping to secure the runner-up position during this event. George Russell can help them achieve that from the front row, and Antonelli will start just behind the leader.
Previous Results
Piastri won that day – as he did the previous season, too. McLaren's Australian is attempting a third consecutive win.
Sprint Race Value
Alright, just over twenty minutes remaining until the sprint race begins. Barring disaster, it's greatest value is as a preview of what is to come, rather than highly important in its own right, with only eight points available to the victor. Mind you, second place 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.
