Qatar Short Race and Main Event Qualifying: Real-Time Updates

Preamble

Philip will be here shortly to guide you through this day's sprint race (14:00 GMT) and qualifying (18:00 GMT).

Real-Time Updates

Starting Lap Period

The warm-up lap has begun.

Track Information

There are 19 laps around the lengthiest track in Formula One, the commentator reminds us.

Final Moments

The countdown is on.

Racer Positions

One point in Max Verstappen's favour: his fellow driver Yuki Tsunoda is ahead of him by one place. He is unlikely to challenge the team's lead driver.

Media Conversations

Sky speaking with Sky now: Gary Neville is at the Mercedes team.

The analyst is jumping ahead to 2026, speaking with the engineer about his promotion to Aston Martin team principal.

Starting Positions

Just 16 cars on the grid. It was another poor grid-setting session for the driver: after coming 20th and last in the previous race, leading to an eighth-place finish in the main race, he failed to make it out of Q1 once more on the previous day. The team have as a result made changes to his setup and so he begins from the pit lane.

Aston Martin's Stroll and the Alpine duo of Gasly and Franco Colapinto are all doing likewise.

Racer Statements

"We'll use the learning for the next day," states 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 dominated the constructors' gong but the team, with a forty-point advantage over their rivals, are aiming to seal second place this weekend. George Russell can help them achieve that from second place, and Kimi Antonelli will begin immediately after Verstappen.

Past Performance

Oscar Piastri won that day – as he did the previous season, too. McLaren's Australian is going for a third consecutive win.

Short Race Importance

Right, just over 20 minutes to go till the sprint race begins. Barring disaster, it's greatest value is as an indication of what is to come, instead of significant in its itself, with just eight championship points awarded to the victor. Mind you, the runner-up spot in this race was sufficient for Verstappen to claim the title two years ago.