Qatar Short Race and Main Event Qualifying: Live Updates
Opening Notes
Our correspondent will be here shortly to take you through today's short race (14:00 GMT) and grid-setting session (6pm).
Current Events
Warm-Up Lap Time
The formation lap has started.
Track Information
There are nineteen laps of the longest circuit in Formula One, the commentator reminds us.
Final Moments
The last moments is on.
Driver Situation
One point in Max Verstappen's favour: his fellow driver Yuki Tsunoda is ahead of him by a single position. He is unlikely to interfere with the team's main man.
Media Conversations
Sky interviewing Sky now: Gary Neville is at the Mercedes team.
Karun Chandhok is jumping ahead to 2026, interviewing Adrian Newey about his promotion to the team lead role.
Starting Positions
There are only 16 cars on the grid. It was another bad qualifying for Lewis Hamilton: after coming 20th and last in the previous race, resulting in an eighth-place finish in the main race, he did not manage to advance of the first qualifying segment again on Friday. Ferrari have consequently adjusted to his setup and so he will start from the pit lane.
Aston Martin's Stroll and the Alpine duo of Gasly and Colapinto are all doing likewise.
Driver Comments
"We'll use the experience for the next day," says Hadjar, 11th on the grid. Expect a lot of that.
Constructors' Championship
It's not all about the individual championship: The team have dominated the constructors' gong but Mercedes, with a forty-point advantage over their rivals, are aiming to seal second place during this event. George Russell can help them achieve that from the front row, and Kimi Antonelli will start just behind the leader.
Past Performance
Piastri won that day – as he managed the previous season, too. The driver from McLaren is going for a hat-trick.
Sprint Race Value
Right, just over 20 minutes remaining until the sprint race gets under way. Unless something goes wrong, it's greatest value is as an indication of future events, rather than significant in its itself, with just eight championship points available to the victor. However, the runner-up spot here was sufficient for Verstappen to claim the title two years ago.
Max Verstappen wins the championship following Pérez crashes out of Qatar GP sprint race.
