🔗 Share this article Qatar's Short Race and Main Event Grid Setting: Live Updates Introduction The author is about to begin to guide you through this day's sprint race (14:00 GMT) and qualifying (6pm). Real-Time Updates Starting Lap Time The warm-up lap is underway. Track Information We have nineteen laps around the lengthiest track in Formula 1, David Croft points out. Countdown The last moments is underway. Racer Positions One point in Max Verstappen's advantage: his fellow driver Yuki Tsunoda is ahead of him by a single position. He is unlikely to challenge the team's lead driver. Interview Updates Sky interviewing Sky currently: the analyst is with Mercedes. The analyst is jumping ahead to the 2026 season, interviewing Adrian Newey about his stepping up to Aston Martin lead role. Starting Positions Just sixteen vehicles on the grid. It was another bad qualifying for Lewis Hamilton: after coming 20th and last in Las Vegas, resulting in an eighth position in the grand prix, he did not manage to make it out of Q1 once more on Friday. The team have consequently adjusted to his car configuration and so he begins from the starting area. The team's Stroll and the Alpine duo of Gasly and Franco Colapinto are all doing likewise. Driver Comments "We'll use the experience for tomorrow," states Hadjar, starting eleventh. There will be plenty of learning. Constructors' Championship It's not all about the individual championship: McLaren have run away with the constructors' gong but Mercedes, with a 40-point lead over Red Bull, are aiming to seal second place this weekend. Russell can assist in this goal from the front row, and Kimi Antonelli will start just behind Verstappen. Previous Results Piastri was victorious then – as he did the previous season, as well. McLaren's Australian is going for a hat-trick. Sprint Race Value Right, just over 20 minutes to go until the sprint race begins. Unless something goes wrong, it's greatest value is as a preview of future events, instead of significant in its itself, with only eight points awarded to the winner. However, the runner-up spot in this race was sufficient for Verstappen to become champion two years ago. Max Verstappen wins F1 world title following Pérez crashes out of Qatar GP sprint race.