Qatar's Short Race and Main Event Qualifying: Live Coverage
Introduction
Philip will be here shortly to take you through this day's short race (14:00 GMT) and qualifying (6pm).
Current Events
Warm-Up Lap Time
The starting lap has started.
Circuit Details
There are nineteen laps of the longest circuit in Formula One, the commentator points out.
Final Moments
The final countdown is underway.
Driver Situation
One point in Max Verstappen's favour: his fellow driver Tsunoda is in front of him by one place. He is unlikely to challenge the team's main man.
Interview Updates
Sky's internal discussion now: Gary Neville is at the Mercedes team.
Karun Chandhok is jumping ahead to the 2026 season, speaking with Adrian Newey about his promotion to Aston Martin team principal.
Starting Positions
Just 16 cars on the grid. This followed another bad qualifying for the driver: following his result of twentieth and final in Las Vegas, resulting in an eighth position in the grand prix, he did not manage to make it out of the first qualifying segment once more on the previous day. The team have consequently adjusted to his car configuration and so he begins from the pit lane.
Aston Martin's Lance Stroll and the Alpine duo of Pierre Gasly and Franco Colapinto are all doing likewise.
Racer Statements
"We'll use the experience for tomorrow," says Hadjar, starting eleventh. There will be a lot of that.
Team Standings
It's not all about the individual championship: The team have dominated the team championship but Mercedes, with a forty-point advantage over their rivals, are aiming to seal second place this weekend. George Russell can assist in this goal from second place, and Antonelli will begin immediately after the leader.
Past Performance
Oscar Piastri won that day – as he managed last year, too. McLaren's Australian is attempting a hat-trick.
Sprint Race Value
Right, approximately twenty minutes to go till the sprint race gets under way. Barring disaster, its main importance is as a preview of future events, instead of significant in its own right, with just eight championship points awarded to the victor. Mind you, the runner-up spot here was enough for Verstappen to become champion in a prior season.
Max Verstappen wins F1 world title after Pérez crashes out of the short race.
