Qatar's Short Race and Main Event Qualifying: Real-Time 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).
Current Events
Warm-Up Lap Time
The formation lap has started.
Track Information
There are 19 laps of the longest circuit in Formula 1, David Croft points out.
Final Moments
The last moments has begun.
Driver Situation
One point in Verstappen's favour: his teammate Tsunoda is ahead of him by one place. It's improbable to interfere with the team's main man.
Media Conversations
Sky speaking with Sky currently: the analyst is with Mercedes.
Karun Chandhok is jumping ahead to 2026, speaking with Adrian Newey about his stepping up to the team team principal.
Starting Positions
There are only 16 cars on the grid. It was another bad qualifying for the driver: after coming 20th and last in Las Vegas, leading to an eighth position in the main race, he did not manage to make it out of the first qualifying segment again on the previous day. Ferrari have as a result adjusted to his setup and so he begins from the pit lane.
The team's Lance Stroll and the Alpine duo of Gasly and Colapinto are all doing likewise.
Racer Statements
"We'll use the experience for the next day," says Isack Hadjar, starting eleventh. Expect plenty of learning.
Team Standings
It's not all about the individual championship: The team have run away with the constructors' gong but the team, with a 40-point lead over Red Bull, are aiming to secure the runner-up position this weekend. Russell can help them achieve that from the front row, and Kimi Antonelli will begin immediately after Verstappen.
Past Performance
Piastri was victorious then – as he managed last year, too. The driver from McLaren is going for a hat-trick.
Short Race Importance
Right, just over twenty minutes remaining till the sprint race gets under way. Barring disaster, its main importance is as an indication of what is to come, instead of significant in its itself, with just eight championship points available to the winner. However, the runner-up spot in this race was enough for the driver to claim the title two years ago.
Max Verstappen wins F1 world title following his teammate's accident of Qatar GP sprint race.
