Qatar Short Race and Grand Prix Qualifying: Live Updates
Introduction
Our correspondent is about to begin to guide you through today's sprint race (14:00 GMT) and grid-setting session (6pm).
Current Events
Formation Lap Period
The starting lap has begun.
Track Information
There are 19 laps of the longest circuit in F1, David Croft points out.
Countdown
The countdown is on.
Racer Positions
An advantage in Max Verstappen's advantage: his teammate Yuki Tsunoda is ahead of him by one place. He is unlikely to interfere with Red Bull's lead driver.
Media Conversations
Sky's internal discussion currently: the analyst is at the Mercedes team.
The analyst is looking forward to the 2026 season, interviewing the engineer about his promotion to Aston Martin team principal.
Starting Positions
There are only 16 cars on the grid. It was another poor grid-setting session for Lewis Hamilton: after coming 20th and last in the previous race, leading to an eighth-place finish in the grand prix, he did not manage to make it out of Q1 again on Friday. Ferrari have as a result adjusted to his car configuration and so he begins from the starting area.
Aston Martin's Lance Stroll and the Alpine duo of Gasly and Franco Colapinto are all starting from the same position.
Driver Comments
"We'll use the experience for tomorrow," says Isack Hadjar, starting eleventh. Expect plenty of learning.
Team Standings
The focus isn't solely on the drivers' title: McLaren have run away with the constructors' gong but Mercedes, with a 40-point lead over Red Bull, are aiming to secure the runner-up position this weekend. George Russell can help them achieve that from second place, and Kimi Antonelli will begin immediately after Verstappen.
Past Performance
Oscar Piastri was victorious then – as he managed last year, too. The driver from McLaren is attempting a third consecutive win.
Short Race Importance
Right, just over 20 minutes remaining until the sprint race begins. Unless something goes wrong, its main importance is as an indication of future events, instead of highly important in its own right, with just eight championship points available to the winner. However, second place here was enough for the driver to claim the title in a prior season.
Max Verstappen wins the championship after his teammate's accident of Qatar GP sprint race.
