Qatar's Short Race and Grand Prix Qualifying: Real-Time Coverage
Introduction
Our correspondent will be here shortly to take you through today's sprint race (14:00 GMT) and grid-setting session (18:00 GMT).
Real-Time Updates
Warm-Up Lap Time
The formation lap has started.
Track Information
We have 19 laps around the lengthiest track in F1, the commentator informs us.
Final Moments
The final countdown is underway.
Driver Situation
An advantage in Max Verstappen's advantage: his fellow driver Tsunoda is in front of him by one place. He is unlikely to mess with the team's lead driver.
Media Conversations
Sky speaking with Sky currently: the analyst is at the Mercedes team.
The analyst is jumping ahead to 2026, speaking with Adrian Newey about his stepping up to the team lead role.
Starting Positions
Just 16 cars on the grid. It was another bad qualifying for Lewis Hamilton: after coming 20th and last in Las Vegas, resulting in an eighth-place finish in the grand prix, he did not manage to advance of the first qualifying segment once more on the previous day. The team 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 Gasly and Colapinto are all doing likewise.
Driver Comments
"We'll use the learning for the next day," states Hadjar, 11th on the grid. There will be a lot of that.
Constructors' Championship
The focus isn't solely on the individual championship: The team have run away with the team championship but the team, with a 40-point lead over Red Bull, will be hoping to secure the runner-up position during this event. George Russell can assist in this goal from second place, and Antonelli will begin immediately after the leader.
Past Performance
Oscar Piastri won that day – as he did the previous season, as well. McLaren's Australian is attempting a hat-trick.
Short Race Importance
Alright, approximately twenty minutes remaining until the short race gets under way. Barring disaster, its main importance is as an indication of future events, instead of highly important in its own right, with only eight points awarded to the winner. However, the runner-up spot here was enough for the driver to become champion in a prior season.
Max Verstappen wins F1 world title following Pérez crashes out of Qatar GP sprint race.