Qatar's Short Race and Main Event Qualifying: Real-Time Coverage
Opening Notes
Philip is about to begin to guide you through today's sprint race (2pm GMT) and qualifying (6pm).
Current Events
Warm-Up Lap Period
The warm-up lap is underway.
Circuit Details
We have nineteen laps of the longest circuit in F1, the commentator reminds us.
Final Moments
The countdown is on.
Driver Situation
An advantage in Verstappen's favour: his teammate Yuki Tsunoda is in front of him by one place. He is unlikely to challenge the team's main man.
Interview Updates
Sky interviewing Sky now: Gary Neville is with Mercedes.
Karun Chandhok is looking forward to 2026, speaking with the engineer about his stepping up to the team lead role.
Starting Positions
Just 16 cars on the grid. It was another bad qualifying for the driver: following his result of twentieth and final in Las Vegas, resulting in 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 adjusted to his car configuration and so he begins from the pit lane.
Aston Martin's Lance Stroll and the Alpine duo of Pierre Gasly and Franco Colapinto are all starting from the same position.
Driver Comments
"We take the experience for tomorrow," says Hadjar, starting eleventh. Expect a lot of that.
Constructors' Championship
The focus isn't solely on the drivers' title: The team have run away with the constructors' gong but Mercedes, with a forty-point advantage over Red Bull, are aiming to secure the runner-up position during this event. Russell can assist in this goal from the front row, and Antonelli will begin immediately after Verstappen.
Previous Results
Piastri was victorious then – as he managed last year, as well. The driver from McLaren is attempting a third consecutive win.
Short Race Importance
Alright, just over 20 minutes to go till the sprint race gets under way. Barring disaster, it's greatest value is as a preview of what is to come, instead of significant in its own right, with only eight points awarded to the winner. Mind you, second place in this race was enough for Verstappen to claim the title two years ago.
Max Verstappen claimed F1 world title after Pérez crashes out of the short race.
