Qatar Short Race and Grand Prix Qualifying: Real-Time Coverage
Preamble
Our correspondent is about to begin to take you through today's short race (2pm GMT) and qualifying (18:00 GMT).
Real-Time Updates
Starting Lap Time
The formation lap is underway.
Circuit Details
There are 19 laps around the lengthiest track in F1, David Croft reminds us.
Countdown
The countdown has begun.
Racer Positions
An advantage in Max Verstappen's advantage: his fellow driver Tsunoda is in front of him by one place. It's improbable to interfere with Red Bull's lead driver.
Interview Updates
Sky speaking with Sky now: Gary Neville is with Mercedes.
The analyst is looking forward to the 2026 season, interviewing Adrian Newey about his promotion to the team team principal.
Starting Positions
There are only sixteen vehicles on the grid. This followed another bad qualifying for the driver: following his result of 20th and last in Las Vegas, resulting in an eighth-place finish in the grand prix, he did not manage to make it out of Q1 once more on the previous day. Ferrari have as a result made changes to his car configuration and so he will start from the pit lane.
The team's Lance Stroll and the Alpine duo of Gasly and Colapinto are all starting from the same position.
Driver Comments
"We take the learning for the next day," says Isack Hadjar, 11th on the grid. There will be plenty of learning.
Team Standings
The focus isn't solely on the individual championship: The team have run away with the team championship but Mercedes, with a 40-point lead over their rivals, are aiming to secure the runner-up position this weekend. George Russell can assist in this goal from second place, and Antonelli will begin immediately after the leader.
Past Performance
Piastri was victorious then – as he managed last year, too. McLaren's Australian is attempting a third consecutive win.
Sprint Race Value
Alright, just over twenty minutes to go until the sprint race begins. Unless something goes wrong, it's greatest value is as a preview of future events, rather than highly important in its itself, with just eight championship points available to the winner. However, the runner-up spot in this race was enough for the driver to claim the title two years ago.
The driver claimed F1 world title after his teammate's accident of the short race.
