Qatar Short Race and Main Event Qualifying: Live Coverage
Preamble
Our correspondent is about to begin to take you through this day's short race (2pm GMT) and qualifying (18:00 GMT).
Current Events
Starting Lap Period
The formation lap has started.
Track Information
We have 19 laps of the longest circuit in F1, David Croft informs us.
Countdown
The last moments is on.
Driver Situation
One point in Verstappen's favour: his teammate Yuki Tsunoda is ahead of him by a single position. 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 looking forward to the 2026 season, speaking with Adrian Newey about his promotion to the team lead role.
Starting Positions
There are only 16 cars on the grid. It was another bad qualifying for Lewis Hamilton: after coming 20th and last in the previous race, leading to an eighth position in the grand prix, he did not manage to make it out of Q1 again on Friday. Ferrari have consequently adjusted to his setup and so he begins from the starting area.
Aston Martin's Lance Stroll and the Alpine pair of Gasly and Franco Colapinto are all doing likewise.
Driver Comments
"We'll use the experience for the next day," states Isack Hadjar, 11th on the grid. There will be plenty of learning.
Team Standings
It's not all about the individual championship: The team have dominated the constructors' gong but the team, with a 40-point lead over Red Bull, 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 start just behind Verstappen.
Previous Results
Oscar Piastri was victorious then – as he did last year, as well. McLaren's Australian is going for a hat-trick.
Sprint Race Value
Right, approximately 20 minutes remaining till the short race gets under way. Barring disaster, its main importance is as an indication of what is to come, instead of highly important in its itself, with only eight points awarded to the victor. However, second place here was enough for the driver to claim the title two years ago.
Max Verstappen claimed F1 world title following Pérez crashes out of the short race.
