🔗 Share this article Qatar's Sprint Race and Grand Prix Qualifying: Live Updates Introduction The author is arriving soon to cover today's sprint race (14:00 GMT) and grid-setting session (18:00 GMT). Real-Time Updates Starting Lap Time The formation lap has begun. Track Information There are 19 laps of the longest circuit in Formula 1, the commentator informs us. Final Moments The final countdown has begun. Driver Situation An advantage in Verstappen's advantage: his fellow driver Yuki Tsunoda is ahead of him by one place. He is unlikely to mess with the team's main man. Interview Updates Sky speaking with Sky now: the analyst is at the Mercedes team. Karun Chandhok is jumping ahead to 2026, speaking with Adrian Newey about his stepping up to the team lead role. Grid Details There are only sixteen vehicles on the grid. This followed another poor grid-setting session for the driver: following his result of 20th and last in the previous race, resulting in an eighth-place finish in the main race, he failed to advance of Q1 again on the previous day. Ferrari have consequently adjusted to his setup and so he begins from the pit lane. Aston Martin's Lance Stroll and the Alpine duo of Pierre Gasly and Franco Colapinto are all doing likewise. Driver Comments "We'll use the experience for tomorrow," says Hadjar, starting eleventh. Expect a lot of that. Team Standings The focus isn't solely on the drivers' title: McLaren have dominated the constructors' gong but Mercedes, with a 40-point lead over their rivals, will be hoping to secure the runner-up position during this event. Russell can help them achieve that from second place, and Kimi Antonelli will begin immediately after the leader. Past Performance Oscar Piastri was victorious then – as he did the previous season, as well. McLaren's Australian is attempting a third consecutive win. Sprint Race Value Right, approximately 20 minutes to go until the short race gets under way. Barring disaster, its main importance is as an indication of future events, rather than significant in its own right, with just eight championship points available to the victor. Mind you, second place in this race was sufficient for the driver to claim the title in a prior season. Max Verstappen wins the championship after his teammate's accident of the short race.