Qatar's Short Race and Grand Prix Qualifying: Real-Time Coverage
Preamble
Our correspondent is about to begin to cover this day's short race (2pm GMT) and grid-setting session (6pm).
Real-Time Updates
Starting Lap Period
The warm-up lap has started.
Circuit Details
There are 19 laps of the longest circuit in Formula 1, the commentator reminds us.
Final Moments
The final countdown has begun.
Racer Positions
One point in Verstappen's favour: his teammate Yuki Tsunoda is in front of him by a single position. He is unlikely to challenge the team's lead driver.
Interview Updates
Sky's internal discussion currently: the analyst is with Mercedes.
The analyst is looking forward to the 2026 season, interviewing Adrian Newey about his stepping up to the team team principal.
Starting Positions
There are only sixteen vehicles on the grid. It was another poor grid-setting session for the driver: following his result of 20th and last in the previous race, leading to an eighth position in the main race, he did not manage to make it out of Q1 again on the previous day. Ferrari have as a result adjusted to his car configuration and so he will start from the pit lane.
Aston Martin's Lance Stroll and the Alpine pair of Gasly and Franco Colapinto are all doing likewise.
Driver Comments
"We take the learning for tomorrow," says Hadjar, starting eleventh. Expect a lot of that.
Constructors' Championship
It's not all about the individual championship: The team have run away with the constructors' gong but the team, with a forty-point advantage over their rivals, will be hoping to secure the runner-up position this weekend. George Russell can assist in this goal from second place, and Kimi Antonelli will begin immediately after Verstappen.
Previous Results
Piastri was victorious then – as he managed last year, too. McLaren's Australian is going for a third consecutive win.
Sprint Race Value
Alright, just over 20 minutes remaining till the sprint race gets under way. Barring disaster, it's greatest value is as an indication of future events, instead of significant in its itself, with only eight points available to the winner. However, the runner-up spot here was enough for the driver to claim the title in a prior season.
Max Verstappen claimed the championship following his teammate's accident of the short race.