Qatar's Short Race and Main Event Qualifying: Real-Time Coverage
Opening Notes
Our correspondent will be here shortly to cover this day's short race (2pm GMT) and qualifying (18:00 GMT).
Real-Time Updates
Formation Lap Period
The starting lap is underway.
Circuit Details
We have nineteen laps around the lengthiest track in Formula 1, the commentator informs us.
Countdown
The last moments is on.
Driver Situation
One point in Max Verstappen's favour: his fellow driver Yuki Tsunoda is ahead of him by one place. It's improbable to challenge the team's main man.
Interview Updates
Sky interviewing Sky now: Gary Neville is at the Mercedes team.
The analyst is looking forward 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: following his result of twentieth and final in the previous race, resulting in an eighth-place finish in the main race, 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.
The team's Lance Stroll and the Alpine pair of Pierre Gasly and Colapinto are all doing likewise.
Racer Statements
"We'll use the experience for the next day," says Hadjar, 11th on the grid. There will be a lot of that.
Team Standings
The focus isn't solely on the individual championship: The team have dominated the team championship but the team, with a 40-point lead over their rivals, will be hoping to seal second place this weekend. George Russell can help them achieve that from second place, and Kimi Antonelli will begin immediately after Verstappen.
Previous Results
Oscar Piastri was victorious then – as he managed last year, too. The driver from McLaren is going for a hat-trick.
Sprint Race Value
Alright, approximately twenty minutes remaining till the sprint race gets under way. Unless something goes wrong, it's greatest value is as an indication of what is to come, rather than highly important in its own right, with only eight points awarded to the victor. However, second place here was enough for the driver to claim the title in a prior season.
The driver wins F1 world title following Pérez crashes out of the short race.
