Qatar Short Race and Main Event Qualifying: Real-Time Coverage
Opening Notes
Our correspondent will be here shortly to take you through today's sprint race (14:00 GMT) and grid-setting session (6pm).
Live Feed
Formation Lap Period
The formation lap has started.
Circuit Details
We have 19 laps around the lengthiest track in Formula One, David Croft informs us.
Final Moments
The final countdown is on.
Driver Situation
An advantage in Max Verstappen's advantage: his fellow driver Tsunoda is ahead of him by one place. He is unlikely to mess with the team's main man.
Interview Updates
Sky interviewing Sky now: Gary Neville is at the Mercedes team.
The analyst is looking forward to 2026, interviewing the engineer about his promotion to the team team principal.
Grid Details
There are only 16 cars on the grid. It was another bad qualifying for the driver: after coming twentieth and final in the previous race, leading to an eighth position in the grand prix, he failed to make it out of the first qualifying segment again on Friday. The team have consequently adjusted to his setup and so he will start from the starting area.
The team's Stroll and the Alpine duo of Gasly and Colapinto are all doing likewise.
Racer Statements
"We take the experience for tomorrow," states Isack Hadjar, starting eleventh. Expect a lot of that.
Team Standings
It's not all about the individual championship: The team have dominated the team championship but the team, with a 40-point lead over Red Bull, will be hoping to secure the runner-up position during this event. George Russell can help them achieve that from second place, and Antonelli will begin immediately after the leader.
Past Performance
Oscar Piastri won that day – as he did the previous season, as well. McLaren's Australian is attempting a third consecutive win.
Sprint Race Value
Alright, just over 20 minutes remaining till the sprint race gets under way. Unless something goes wrong, its main importance is as a preview of future events, instead of highly important in its itself, with just eight championship points awarded to the winner. However, second place in this race was sufficient for Verstappen to claim the title in a prior season.
Max Verstappen wins the championship following Pérez crashes out of the short race.
