Qatar Sprint Race and Main Event Qualifying: Real-Time Coverage
Introduction
Our correspondent is about to begin to take you through today's short race (14:00 GMT) and qualifying (6pm).
Current Events
Starting Lap Period
The formation lap has started.
Track Information
There are 19 laps around the lengthiest track in Formula 1, David Croft points out.
Final Moments
The countdown has begun.
Driver Situation
An advantage in Verstappen's favour: his teammate Yuki 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 currently: Gary Neville is with Mercedes.
The analyst is jumping ahead to 2026, interviewing Adrian Newey about his promotion to the team team principal.
Starting Positions
Just 16 cars on the grid. It was another bad qualifying for the driver: after coming 20th and last in the previous race, resulting in an eighth-place finish in the grand prix, he failed to advance of Q1 again on Friday. Ferrari have as a result made changes to his setup and so he begins from the starting area.
The team's Lance Stroll and the Alpine pair of Pierre Gasly and Colapinto are all starting from the same position.
Driver Comments
"We'll use the learning for the next day," says Hadjar, starting eleventh. Expect plenty of learning.
Team Standings
The focus isn't solely on the individual championship: McLaren have run away with the team championship but Mercedes, with a 40-point lead over Red Bull, are aiming to secure the runner-up position during this event. Russell can assist in this goal from the front row, and Antonelli will begin immediately after Verstappen.
Previous Results
Oscar Piastri won that day – as he managed last year, too. The driver from McLaren is going for a hat-trick.
Short Race Importance
Right, approximately 20 minutes to go until the short race gets under way. Unless something goes wrong, its main importance is as an indication of future events, rather than significant in its itself, with only eight points available to the victor. However, the runner-up spot in this race was enough for the driver to become champion two years ago.
Max Verstappen wins F1 world title following his teammate's accident of the short race.
