🔗 Share this article Qatar Sprint Race and Main Event Qualifying: Live Coverage Preamble The author will be here shortly to take you through this day's short race (2pm GMT) and grid-setting session (18:00 GMT). Real-Time Updates Formation Lap Time The starting lap has started. Circuit Details There are 19 laps around the lengthiest track in Formula 1, David Croft reminds us. Final Moments The last moments has begun. Driver Situation One point in Max Verstappen's advantage: his fellow driver Yuki Tsunoda is ahead of him by one place. He is unlikely to interfere with Red Bull's lead driver. Interview Updates Sky speaking with Sky now: the analyst is at the Mercedes team. The analyst is looking forward to 2026, speaking with Adrian Newey about his stepping up to Aston Martin lead role. Grid Details There are only sixteen vehicles on the grid. It was another poor grid-setting session for the driver: following his result of 20th and last in Las Vegas, resulting in an eighth-place finish in the grand prix, he did not manage to advance of the first qualifying segment again on Friday. The team have as a result made changes to his setup and so he begins from the pit lane. Aston Martin's Lance Stroll and the Alpine pair of Gasly and Colapinto are all doing likewise. Racer Statements "We'll use the learning for the next day," says Isack Hadjar, starting eleventh. Expect plenty of learning. Constructors' Championship The focus isn't solely on the drivers' title: The team have dominated the constructors' gong but Mercedes, with a forty-point advantage over their rivals, are aiming to seal second place this weekend. Russell can help them achieve that from second place, and Antonelli will begin immediately after Verstappen. Past Performance 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 until the short race begins. Unless something goes wrong, its main importance is as an indication of future events, instead of highly important in its own right, with only eight points awarded to the winner. However, the runner-up spot in this race was enough for the driver to claim the title in a prior season. The driver wins the championship after Pérez crashes out of Qatar GP sprint race.