Qatar Short Race and Main Event Qualifying: Live Coverage
Preamble
Our correspondent is about to begin to take you through this day's sprint race (14:00 GMT) and grid-setting session (18:00 GMT).
Live Feed
Formation Lap Period
The formation lap has begun.
Circuit Details
There are 19 laps of the longest circuit in Formula One, David Croft reminds us.
Countdown
The final countdown is on.
Racer Positions
An advantage in Max Verstappen's advantage: his teammate Tsunoda is in front of him by one place. It's improbable to interfere with Red Bull's main man.
Interview Updates
Sky speaking with Sky currently: Gary Neville is with Mercedes.
Karun Chandhok is jumping ahead to the 2026 season, interviewing the engineer about his promotion to the team team principal.
Grid Details
There are only sixteen vehicles on the grid. It was another poor grid-setting session for Lewis Hamilton: after coming twentieth and final in Las Vegas, resulting in an eighth-place finish in the main race, he failed to advance of Q1 again on Friday. The team have consequently made changes to his car configuration and so he will start from the pit lane.
The team's Stroll and the Alpine duo of Pierre Gasly and Franco Colapinto are all starting from the same position.
Driver Comments
"We'll use the learning for tomorrow," says Hadjar, starting eleventh. There will be plenty of learning.
Team Standings
The focus isn't solely on the drivers' title: McLaren have run away with the constructors' gong but the team, with a 40-point lead over Red Bull, are aiming to seal second place this weekend. Russell can help them achieve that from the front row, and Antonelli will start just behind Verstappen.
Previous Results
Oscar Piastri was victorious then – as he managed last year, as well. McLaren's Australian is going for a hat-trick.
Sprint Race Value
Alright, approximately twenty minutes to go till the short race begins. Barring disaster, its main importance is as a preview of future events, rather than significant in its own right, with only eight points awarded to the victor. Mind you, the runner-up spot here was sufficient for Verstappen to claim the title two years ago.
Max Verstappen wins F1 world title after Pérez crashes out of the short race.
