Qatar's Short Race and Grand Prix Qualifying: Live Updates

Introduction

Our correspondent is arriving soon to guide you through today's short race (14:00 GMT) and grid-setting session (18:00 GMT).

Current Events

Starting Lap Time

The formation lap is underway.

Circuit Details

We have nineteen laps around the lengthiest track in F1, David Croft informs us.

Final Moments

The final countdown is underway.

Driver Situation

An advantage in Verstappen's favour: his fellow driver Tsunoda is in front of him by a single position. He is unlikely to challenge Red Bull's main man.

Interview Updates

Sky's internal discussion now: the analyst is at the Mercedes team.

Karun Chandhok is jumping ahead to 2026, speaking with Adrian Newey about his promotion to Aston Martin team principal.

Grid Details

There are only 16 cars on the grid. This followed another bad qualifying for Lewis Hamilton: following his result of 20th and last in the previous race, resulting in an eighth position in the main race, he failed to make it out of Q1 once more on the previous day. Ferrari have consequently made changes to his car configuration and so he begins from the pit lane.

Aston Martin's Lance Stroll and the Alpine duo of Pierre Gasly and Colapinto are all starting from the same position.

Driver Comments

"We'll use the experience for the next day," states Hadjar, 11th on the grid. Expect plenty of learning.

Constructors' Championship

The focus isn't solely on the drivers' title: The team have run away with the constructors' gong but the team, with a 40-point lead over Red Bull, will be hoping to secure the runner-up position this weekend. George Russell can help them achieve that from the front row, and Antonelli will begin immediately after Verstappen.

Past Performance

Piastri won that day – as he did the previous season, too. The driver from McLaren is attempting a hat-trick.

Short Race Importance

Alright, just over 20 minutes to go until the sprint race gets under way. Unless something goes wrong, its main importance is as an indication of future events, instead of highly important in its itself, with just eight championship points available to the victor. Mind you, the runner-up spot here was sufficient for Verstappen to become champion in a prior season.

Max Verstappen claimed F1 world title after his teammate's accident of Qatar GP sprint race.