Qatar Short Race and Grand Prix Qualifying: Live Updates
Preamble
The author will be here shortly to guide you through this day's sprint race (14:00 GMT) and qualifying (18:00 GMT).
Live Feed
Warm-Up Lap Period
The warm-up lap has begun.
Track Information
We have nineteen laps around the lengthiest track in F1, David Croft 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 one place. He is unlikely to mess with Red Bull's lead driver.
Interview Updates
Sky interviewing Sky currently: the analyst is at the Mercedes team.
The analyst is jumping ahead to the 2026 season, interviewing the engineer about his promotion to the team team principal.
Starting Positions
There are only sixteen vehicles 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 main race, he failed to make it out of the first qualifying segment again on the previous day. Ferrari have as a result made changes to his car configuration and so he will start from the starting area.
Aston Martin's Stroll and the Alpine duo of Pierre Gasly and Colapinto are all starting from the same position.
Racer Statements
"We take the learning for tomorrow," says Isack Hadjar, 11th on the grid. Expect a lot of that.
Team Standings
The focus isn't solely on the drivers' title: The team have dominated the constructors' gong but Mercedes, with a 40-point lead over their rivals, are aiming to seal second place during this event. George Russell can help them achieve that from the front row, and Kimi Antonelli will begin immediately after the leader.
Previous Results
Oscar Piastri won that day – as he managed last year, as well. The driver from McLaren is going for a third consecutive win.
Sprint Race Value
Alright, just over twenty minutes to go until the short race gets under way. Unless something goes wrong, its main importance is as an indication of future events, rather than significant in its itself, with only eight points available to the winner. Mind you, second place here was sufficient for Verstappen to claim the title two years ago.
The driver claimed the championship after Pérez crashes out of the short race.
