Qatar's Short Race and Grand Prix Qualifying: Live Updates
Opening Notes
Philip is arriving soon to take you through this day's sprint race (14:00 GMT) and qualifying (18:00 GMT).
Real-Time Updates
Formation Lap Time
The warm-up lap has begun.
Track Information
There are nineteen laps around the lengthiest track in Formula 1, David Croft reminds us.
Final Moments
The countdown is on.
Driver Situation
One point in Verstappen's favour: his teammate Yuki Tsunoda is in front of him by a single position. It's improbable to interfere with Red Bull's main man.
Interview Updates
Sky's internal discussion currently: the analyst is at the Mercedes team.
The analyst is jumping ahead to 2026, interviewing the engineer about his stepping up to Aston Martin team principal.
Starting Positions
There are only sixteen vehicles on the grid. It was another bad qualifying for the driver: after coming 20th and last in Las Vegas, resulting in an eighth-place finish in the main race, he failed to make it out 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.
Aston Martin's Lance Stroll and the Alpine duo of Gasly and Colapinto are all doing likewise.
Driver Comments
"We'll use the learning for the next day," states Hadjar, 11th on the grid. Expect a lot of that.
Constructors' Championship
The focus isn't solely on the individual championship: The team have dominated the team championship but the team, with a forty-point advantage over their rivals, are aiming to secure the runner-up position during this event. George Russell can help them achieve that from second place, and Kimi Antonelli will begin immediately after the leader.
Past Performance
Piastri won that day โ as he managed the previous season, as well. The driver from McLaren is going for a hat-trick.
Sprint Race Value
Alright, just over 20 minutes remaining until the sprint race gets under way. Barring disaster, it's greatest value is as an indication of future events, rather than highly important in its itself, with just eight championship points awarded to the winner. Mind you, the runner-up spot here was enough for Verstappen to become champion two years ago.
Max Verstappen wins the championship following Pรฉrez crashes out of the short race.
