Qatar Sprint Race and Main Event Qualifying: Live Coverage
Introduction
The author will be here shortly to take you through this day's short race (14:00 GMT) and grid-setting session (6pm).
Real-Time Updates
Warm-Up Lap Time
The warm-up lap has begun.
Circuit Details
We have nineteen laps of the longest circuit in Formula 1, David Croft informs us.
Countdown
The countdown is underway.
Racer Positions
An advantage in Verstappen's favour: his teammate Tsunoda is in front of him by a single position. He is unlikely to challenge the team's lead driver.
Media Conversations
Sky interviewing Sky currently: the analyst is at the Mercedes team.
The analyst is jumping ahead to 2026, interviewing Adrian Newey about his promotion to Aston Martin lead role.
Starting Positions
There are only 16 cars on the grid. This followed another poor grid-setting session for the driver: following his result of twentieth and final in the previous race, leading to an eighth-place finish in the main race, he failed to advance of the first qualifying segment once more on Friday. Ferrari have as a result made changes to his setup and so he begins from the starting area.
The team's Stroll and the Alpine pair of Pierre Gasly and Franco Colapinto are all doing likewise.
Driver Comments
"We take the learning for the next day," says Hadjar, 11th on the grid. Expect plenty of learning.
Constructors' Championship
It's not all about the individual championship: The team have run away with the constructors' gong but Mercedes, with a forty-point advantage over Red Bull, are aiming to seal second place during this event. Russell can assist in this goal from the front row, and Antonelli will begin immediately after Verstappen.
Previous Results
Oscar Piastri won that day – as he managed the previous season, too. McLaren's Australian is going for a hat-trick.
Short Race Importance
Alright, approximately twenty minutes to go till the sprint race begins. Barring disaster, its main importance is as an indication of what is to come, rather than significant in its own right, with only eight points awarded to the winner. Mind you, second place here was sufficient for Verstappen to become champion two years ago.
Max Verstappen claimed the championship after his teammate's accident of the short race.