Qatar Short Race and Main Event Qualifying: Live Updates
Introduction
Our correspondent is about to begin to take you through this day's short race (2pm GMT) and grid-setting session (18:00 GMT).
Real-Time Updates
Starting Lap Time
The warm-up lap has started.
Circuit Details
There are nineteen laps around the lengthiest track in Formula 1, David Croft informs us.
Final Moments
The last moments is underway.
Driver Situation
One point in Verstappen's favour: his fellow driver Tsunoda is in front of him by a single position. He is unlikely to mess with Red Bull's main man.
Interview Updates
Sky speaking with Sky currently: Gary Neville is at the Mercedes team.
The analyst is looking forward to the 2026 season, speaking with the engineer about his promotion to Aston Martin team principal.
Grid Details
There are only sixteen vehicles on the grid. This followed 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 failed to advance of Q1 once more on Friday. The team have as a result made changes to his setup and so he begins from the starting area.
The team's Stroll and the Alpine duo of Pierre Gasly and Colapinto are all starting from the same position.
Driver Comments
"We take the experience for tomorrow," says Isack Hadjar, 11th on the grid. There will be a lot of that.
Constructors' Championship
The focus isn't solely on the individual championship: McLaren have dominated the constructors' gong but Mercedes, with a 40-point lead over Red Bull, will be hoping to secure the runner-up position during this event. George Russell can assist in this goal from the front row, and Kimi Antonelli will start just behind the leader.
Previous Results
Oscar Piastri was victorious then – as he did last year, as well. The driver from McLaren is attempting a third consecutive win.
Sprint Race Value
Right, approximately twenty minutes remaining till the sprint race gets under way. Barring disaster, it's greatest value is as an indication of what is to come, rather than significant in its itself, with just eight championship points awarded to the winner. However, second place here was enough for Verstappen to claim the title two years ago.
Max Verstappen claimed F1 world title after Pérez crashes out of Qatar GP sprint race.
