Qatar Short Race and Grand Prix Qualifying: Real-Time Coverage
Preamble
Philip is about to begin to cover today's sprint race (2pm GMT) and grid-setting session (18:00 GMT).
Live Feed
Warm-Up Lap Period
The starting lap is underway.
Circuit Details
We have 19 laps of the longest circuit in F1, the commentator informs us.
Countdown
The last moments is underway.
Driver Situation
An advantage in Verstappen's favour: his teammate Tsunoda is ahead of him by one place. He is unlikely to interfere with Red Bull's lead driver.
Media Conversations
Sky interviewing Sky currently: Gary Neville is at the Mercedes team.
The analyst is looking forward to the 2026 season, speaking with Adrian Newey about his promotion to Aston Martin lead role.
Starting Positions
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, resulting in an eighth position in the main race, he failed to make it out of the first qualifying segment again on the previous day. The team have consequently adjusted to his car configuration and so he begins from the starting area.
Aston Martin's Stroll and the Alpine duo of Pierre Gasly and Franco Colapinto are all starting from the same position.
Driver Comments
"We take the learning for tomorrow," states Isack Hadjar, 11th on the grid. There will be plenty of learning.
Constructors' Championship
It's not all about the individual championship: McLaren have dominated the constructors' gong but Mercedes, with a forty-point advantage over Red Bull, will be hoping to seal second place during this event. George Russell can assist in this goal from second place, and Kimi Antonelli will start just behind Verstappen.
Past Performance
Piastri was victorious then – as he managed last year, as well. McLaren's Australian is attempting a hat-trick.
Sprint Race Value
Right, approximately 20 minutes remaining until the short race gets under way. Barring disaster, it's greatest value is as a preview of future events, rather than highly important in its itself, with just eight championship points awarded to the victor. Mind you, second place here was sufficient for the driver to claim the title in a prior season.
Max Verstappen wins F1 world title after PĂ©rez crashes out of the short race.