🔗 Share this article Qatar Sprint Race and Main Event Qualifying: Real-Time Coverage Opening Notes The author is arriving soon to take you through this day's short race (2pm GMT) and grid-setting session (6pm). Current Events Starting Lap Period The starting lap has begun. Track Information We have 19 laps of the longest circuit in F1, the commentator points out. Final Moments The countdown has begun. Racer Positions One point in Max Verstappen's advantage: his fellow driver Yuki Tsunoda is ahead of him by a single position. It's improbable to interfere with Red Bull's main man. Interview Updates Sky interviewing Sky now: Gary Neville is with Mercedes. Karun Chandhok is jumping ahead to the 2026 season, interviewing the engineer about his promotion to the team lead role. Grid Details Just 16 cars on the grid. This followed another poor grid-setting session for the driver: after coming twentieth and final in the previous race, resulting in an eighth position in the main race, he failed to make it out of the first qualifying segment again on the previous day. The team have as a result adjusted to his setup and so he will start from the pit lane. The team's Lance Stroll and the Alpine duo of Pierre Gasly and Colapinto are all doing likewise. Racer Statements "We take the experience for the next day," says Isack Hadjar, 11th on the grid. There will be plenty of learning. Constructors' Championship The focus isn't solely on the individual championship: McLaren have run away with the team championship but Mercedes, with a 40-point lead over their rivals, will be hoping to secure the runner-up position this weekend. Russell can assist in this goal from second place, and Antonelli will begin immediately after the leader. Past Performance Oscar Piastri was victorious then – as he did last year, as well. McLaren's Australian is attempting a third consecutive win. Sprint Race Value Right, approximately 20 minutes remaining until the sprint race gets under way. Unless something goes wrong, it's greatest value is as an indication of what is to come, rather than significant in its itself, with just eight championship points awarded to the victor. However, the runner-up spot here was enough for the driver to claim the title in a prior season. The driver wins the championship following Pérez crashes out of the short race.