Qatar's Short Race and Main Event Qualifying: Real-Time Updates
Preamble
Our correspondent will be here shortly to take you through today's sprint race (14:00 GMT) and grid-setting session (18:00 GMT).
Current Events
Formation Lap Period
The formation lap has started.
Circuit Details
There are 19 laps of the longest circuit in Formula 1, the commentator points out.
Countdown
The countdown is underway.
Driver Situation
An advantage in Verstappen's advantage: his teammate Tsunoda is in front of him by a single position. It's improbable to interfere with Red Bull's lead driver.
Interview Updates
Sky interviewing Sky now: Gary Neville is at the Mercedes team.
The analyst is jumping ahead to 2026, speaking with the engineer about his stepping up to Aston Martin lead role.
Grid Details
There are only sixteen vehicles on the grid. This followed another poor grid-setting session for the driver: after coming 20th and last in the previous race, leading to an eighth position in the main race, he did not manage to make it out of Q1 once more on the previous day. The team have as a result made changes to his car configuration and so he begins from the starting area.
The team's Lance Stroll and the Alpine duo of Pierre Gasly and Colapinto are all doing likewise.
Driver Comments
"We take the learning for the next day," states Hadjar, 11th on the grid. There will be a lot of that.
Constructors' Championship
The focus isn't solely on the drivers' title: The team have dominated the team championship but Mercedes, with a forty-point advantage over their rivals, will be hoping to secure the runner-up position during this event. George Russell can assist in this goal from the front row, and Antonelli will start just behind the leader.
Past Performance
Oscar Piastri was victorious then – as he managed the previous season, as well. The driver from McLaren is attempting a third consecutive win.
Sprint Race Value
Right, approximately 20 minutes remaining till the short race begins. Unless something goes wrong, it's greatest value is as an indication of what is to come, instead of highly important in its itself, with just eight championship points awarded to the winner. Mind you, the runner-up spot in this race was enough for Verstappen to become champion two years ago.
Max Verstappen claimed F1 world title after Pérez crashes out of Qatar GP sprint race.