Qatar's Short Race and Main Event Qualifying: Real-Time Coverage
Opening Notes
Philip will be here shortly to cover today's sprint race (2pm GMT) and grid-setting session (6pm).
Current Events
Starting Lap Time
The starting lap has started.
Track Information
We have nineteen laps of the longest circuit in F1, the commentator informs us.
Final Moments
The last moments has begun.
Driver Situation
An advantage in Verstappen's advantage: his fellow driver Yuki Tsunoda is ahead of him by one place. It's improbable to mess with the team's main man.
Media Conversations
Sky's internal discussion currently: Gary Neville is at the Mercedes team.
Karun Chandhok is looking forward to 2026, interviewing Adrian Newey about his promotion to Aston Martin team principal.
Starting Positions
Just sixteen vehicles on the grid. It was another poor grid-setting session for the driver: 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 Friday. Ferrari have consequently adjusted to his car configuration and so he begins from the pit lane.
Aston Martin's Stroll and the Alpine pair of Gasly and Franco Colapinto are all starting from the same position.
Driver Comments
"We take the learning for tomorrow," says Isack Hadjar, starting eleventh. There will be plenty of learning.
Team Standings
It's not all about the drivers' title: McLaren have run away with the constructors' gong but Mercedes, with a 40-point lead over their rivals, will be hoping to seal second place this weekend. Russell can assist in this goal from the front row, and Kimi Antonelli will start just behind Verstappen.
Previous Results
Oscar Piastri was victorious then – as he managed the previous season, as well. McLaren's Australian is attempting a third consecutive win.
Sprint Race Value
Right, just over twenty minutes remaining until the sprint race gets under way. Barring disaster, its main importance is as a preview of future events, rather than significant in its own right, with only eight points available to the winner. However, second place here was sufficient for the driver to become champion in a prior season.
Max Verstappen wins F1 world title after his teammate's accident of Qatar GP sprint race.
