Qatar's Short Race and Grand Prix Qualifying: Live Coverage
Preamble
Philip is about to begin 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.
Track Information
We have 19 laps around the lengthiest track in Formula One, David Croft points out.
Final Moments
The last moments is on.
Driver Situation
An advantage in Verstappen's favour: his fellow driver Yuki Tsunoda is in front of him by one place. He is unlikely to challenge Red Bull's lead driver.
Interview Updates
Sky interviewing Sky currently: Gary Neville is at the Mercedes team.
The analyst is jumping ahead to 2026, interviewing Adrian Newey about his stepping up to Aston Martin lead role.
Grid Details
There are only 16 cars on the grid. It was another poor grid-setting session for Lewis Hamilton: following his result of 20th and last in the previous race, resulting in an eighth position in the grand prix, he did not manage to advance of the first qualifying segment again on the previous day. The team have consequently made changes to his setup and so he will start from the starting area.
Aston Martin's Lance Stroll and the Alpine pair of Pierre Gasly and Colapinto are all starting from the same position.
Driver Comments
"We'll use the learning for tomorrow," says Isack Hadjar, starting eleventh. There will be plenty of learning.
Constructors' Championship
The focus isn't solely on the individual championship: The team have dominated the team championship but the team, with a 40-point lead over their rivals, will be hoping to secure the runner-up position during this event. Russell can help them achieve that from second place, and Kimi Antonelli will start just behind the leader.
Past Performance
Piastri was victorious then – as he did last year, too. The driver from McLaren is going for a hat-trick.
Short Race Importance
Alright, approximately 20 minutes remaining until the short race begins. Barring disaster, it's greatest value is as a preview of what is to come, instead of highly important in its own right, with only eight points awarded to the victor. However, second place here was enough for Verstappen to claim the title in a prior season.
The driver wins F1 world title after his teammate's accident of the short race.
