Qatar Short Race and Grand Prix Qualifying: Real-Time Coverage
Opening Notes
Philip is about to begin to guide you through today's sprint race (14:00 GMT) and qualifying (18:00 GMT).
Current Events
Warm-Up Lap Period
The starting lap has begun.
Circuit Details
There are 19 laps around the lengthiest track in Formula One, David Croft informs us.
Countdown
The countdown has begun.
Racer Positions
One point in Verstappen's advantage: his fellow driver Tsunoda is in front of him by a single position. 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
Just 16 cars on the grid. It was another bad qualifying for Lewis Hamilton: after coming twentieth and final in Las Vegas, resulting in an eighth position in the main race, he did not manage to make it out of the first qualifying segment again on the previous day. The team have as a result adjusted to his setup and so he begins from the pit lane.
The team's Stroll and the Alpine duo of Gasly and Franco Colapinto are all starting from the same position.
Racer Statements
"We take the experience for the next day," states Isack Hadjar, starting eleventh. Expect plenty of learning.
Constructors' Championship
It's not all about the drivers' title: McLaren have run away with the constructors' gong but Mercedes, with a forty-point advantage over their rivals, are aiming to seal second place during this event. Russell can assist in this goal from second place, and Kimi Antonelli will begin immediately after the leader.
Previous Results
Piastri won that day – as he managed the previous season, too. McLaren's Australian is attempting a third consecutive win.
Short Race Importance
Alright, just over 20 minutes remaining till the short race gets under way. Unless something goes wrong, its main importance is as an indication of what is to come, instead of significant in its itself, with only eight points available to the victor. However, second place here was sufficient for Verstappen to claim the title in a prior season.
Max Verstappen wins the championship after his teammate's accident of Qatar GP sprint race.
