Qatar Sprint Race and Main Event Qualifying: Live Coverage
Introduction
Philip will be here shortly to guide you through this day's short race (2pm GMT) and qualifying (6pm).
Current Events
Warm-Up Lap Period
The starting lap has begun.
Track Information
There are 19 laps around the lengthiest track in Formula 1, David Croft points out.
Countdown
The countdown is on.
Driver Situation
An advantage in Verstappen's advantage: his fellow driver Yuki Tsunoda is in front of him by one place. It's improbable to challenge the team's lead driver.
Media Conversations
Sky's internal discussion now: the analyst is with Mercedes.
The analyst is jumping ahead to the 2026 season, interviewing Adrian Newey about his promotion to Aston Martin team principal.
Grid Details
Just sixteen vehicles on the grid. It was another poor grid-setting session for Lewis Hamilton: after coming 20th and last in Las Vegas, leading to an eighth-place finish in the main race, he failed to make it out of Q1 again on Friday. Ferrari have as a result made changes to his setup and so he will start from the starting area.
The team's Lance Stroll and the Alpine pair of Gasly and Colapinto are all starting from the same position.
Racer Statements
"We'll use the experience for tomorrow," says Isack Hadjar, 11th on the grid. Expect a lot of that.
Team Standings
It's not all about the drivers' title: The team have run away with the team championship but Mercedes, with a forty-point advantage over their rivals, are aiming to secure the runner-up position this weekend. George Russell can assist in this goal from second place, and Kimi Antonelli will start just behind Verstappen.
Past Performance
Oscar Piastri was victorious then – as he did last year, too. The driver from McLaren is going for a third consecutive win.
Short Race Importance
Right, just over 20 minutes remaining till the short race gets under way. Unless something goes wrong, it's greatest value is as an indication of future events, rather than highly important in its itself, with just eight championship points available to the victor. However, the runner-up spot in this race was enough for Verstappen to claim the title two years ago.
Max Verstappen claimed the championship following Pérez crashes out of the short race.
