Qatar's Short Race and Grand Prix Qualifying: Live Coverage
Opening Notes
The author will be here shortly to guide you through this day's short race (2pm GMT) and grid-setting session (18:00 GMT).
Real-Time Updates
Starting Lap Time
The starting lap has begun.
Track Information
There are 19 laps around the lengthiest track in F1, the commentator reminds us.
Final Moments
The last moments has begun.
Racer Positions
One point in Verstappen's advantage: his teammate Yuki Tsunoda is ahead of him by a single position. It's improbable to challenge the team's main man.
Interview Updates
Sky speaking with Sky now: the analyst is at the Mercedes team.
The analyst is looking forward to 2026, speaking with Adrian Newey about his promotion to Aston Martin team principal.
Grid Details
Just 16 cars on the grid. It was another poor grid-setting session for the driver: following his result of twentieth and final in the previous race, resulting in an eighth-place finish in the main race, he failed to advance of the first qualifying segment again on the previous day. Ferrari have consequently made changes to his car configuration and so he begins from the pit lane.
Aston Martin's Stroll and the Alpine pair of Gasly and Franco Colapinto are all doing likewise.
Racer Statements
"We'll use the experience for the next day," says Isack 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 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 assist in this goal from the front row, and Antonelli will start just behind the leader.
Past Performance
Piastri was victorious then – as he did the previous season, as well. The driver from McLaren is attempting a hat-trick.
Sprint Race Value
Alright, just over 20 minutes remaining till the short race gets under way. Barring disaster, its main importance is as an indication of what is to come, instead of highly important in its own right, with just eight championship points available to the victor. However, second place in this race was sufficient for Verstappen to claim the title in a prior season.
The driver wins the championship following Pérez crashes out of the short race.