Qatar's Short Race and Grand Prix Qualifying: Real-Time Coverage
Preamble
Our correspondent is arriving soon to cover this day's short race (2pm GMT) and qualifying (18:00 GMT).
Live Feed
Formation Lap Time
The formation lap has begun.
Track Information
We have nineteen laps of the longest circuit in Formula One, the commentator informs us.
Countdown
The countdown is on.
Driver Situation
An advantage in Max Verstappen's favour: his teammate Tsunoda is ahead of him by one place. He is unlikely to mess with the team's main man.
Media Conversations
Sky speaking with Sky now: the analyst is with Mercedes.
The analyst is looking forward to 2026, speaking with Adrian Newey about his promotion to the team lead role.
Grid Details
There are only 16 cars on the grid. This followed another bad qualifying for Lewis Hamilton: after coming twentieth and final in the previous race, resulting in an eighth-place finish in the main race, he did not manage to make it out of the first qualifying segment once more on the previous day. Ferrari have consequently made changes to his car configuration and so he begins from the starting area.
The team's Lance Stroll and the Alpine duo of Pierre Gasly and Franco Colapinto are all starting from the same position.
Driver Comments
"We'll use the learning for tomorrow," states Isack Hadjar, starting eleventh. There will be a lot of that.
Constructors' Championship
It's not all about the drivers' title: McLaren have dominated the constructors' gong but the team, with a 40-point lead over Red Bull, are aiming to seal second place during this event. George Russell can assist in this goal from second place, and Kimi Antonelli will begin immediately after the leader.
Past Performance
Oscar Piastri was victorious then – as he managed the previous season, too. McLaren's Australian is attempting a third consecutive win.
Sprint Race Value
Alright, approximately 20 minutes remaining until the short race begins. Barring disaster, its main importance is as an indication of future events, rather than significant in its own right, with just eight championship points awarded to the winner. Mind you, second place here was sufficient for Verstappen to claim the title in a prior season.
The driver claimed the championship following Pérez crashes out of the short race.
