🔗 Share this article Qatar Short Race and Main Event Qualifying: Live Coverage Opening Notes Philip is arriving soon to guide you through today's sprint race (2pm GMT) and qualifying (6pm). Real-Time Updates Formation Lap Time The formation lap has started. Circuit Details We have 19 laps around the lengthiest track in Formula One, David Croft reminds us. Countdown The last moments has begun. Driver Situation One point in Verstappen's advantage: his fellow driver Tsunoda is in front of him by one place. He is unlikely to interfere with Red Bull's lead driver. Media Conversations Sky's internal discussion now: the analyst is at the Mercedes team. The analyst is jumping ahead to the 2026 season, speaking with Adrian Newey about his stepping up to the team lead role. Grid Details There are only 16 cars on the grid. This followed another poor grid-setting session for the driver: after coming 20th and last in the previous race, leading to an eighth position in the grand prix, he did not manage to make it out of the first qualifying segment once more on Friday. The team have consequently made changes to his car configuration and so he will start from the pit lane. Aston Martin's Stroll and the Alpine duo of Pierre Gasly and Franco Colapinto are all doing likewise. Racer Statements "We'll use the learning for tomorrow," states Isack Hadjar, 11th on the grid. Expect plenty of learning. Constructors' Championship It's not all about the individual championship: McLaren have dominated the constructors' gong but Mercedes, with a 40-point lead over Red Bull, are aiming to secure the runner-up position this weekend. George Russell can assist in this goal from second place, and Antonelli will start just behind Verstappen. Previous Results Piastri won that day – as he managed the previous season, too. McLaren's Australian is going for a third consecutive win. Sprint Race Value Alright, approximately 20 minutes to go till the sprint race gets under way. Unless something goes wrong, it's greatest value is as an indication of what is to come, instead of highly important in its itself, with just eight championship points available to the victor. However, second place in this race was sufficient for the driver to become champion in a prior season. Max Verstappen claimed F1 world title following his teammate's accident of Qatar GP sprint race.