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

Opening Notes

Philip is about to begin to take you through today's sprint race (14:00 GMT) and qualifying (6pm).

Current Events

Formation Lap Period

The warm-up lap is underway.

Track Information

There are nineteen laps around the lengthiest track in F1, the commentator reminds us.

Final Moments

The last moments is underway.

Driver Situation

One point in Verstappen's advantage: his teammate Tsunoda is in front of him by one place. He is unlikely to mess with the team's main man.

Media Conversations

Sky interviewing Sky now: the analyst is at the Mercedes team.

The analyst is jumping ahead to the 2026 season, interviewing Adrian Newey about his promotion to the team team principal.

Grid Details

Just 16 cars on the grid. It was another bad qualifying for Lewis Hamilton: following his result of 20th and last in Las Vegas, leading to an eighth-place finish in the main race, he failed to make it out of the first qualifying segment again on Friday. Ferrari have consequently adjusted to his setup and so he will start from the pit lane.

The team's Stroll and the Alpine pair of Pierre Gasly and Franco Colapinto are all doing likewise.

Racer Statements

"We take the learning for tomorrow," says Hadjar, starting eleventh. Expect plenty of learning.

Team Standings

It's not all about the individual championship: McLaren have dominated the constructors' gong but Mercedes, with a forty-point advantage over Red Bull, are aiming to secure the runner-up position during this event. George Russell can assist in this goal from second place, and Kimi Antonelli will begin immediately after the leader.

Past Performance

Piastri was victorious then – as he managed last year, too. McLaren's Australian is going for a hat-trick.

Short Race Importance

Alright, just over 20 minutes remaining till the sprint race gets under way. Barring disaster, it's greatest value is as an indication of what is to come, instead of highly important in its itself, with only eight points awarded to the winner. However, second place here was sufficient for Verstappen to become champion two years ago.

The driver wins the championship following his teammate's accident of the short race.