🔗 Share this article Qatar Sprint Race and Grand Prix Qualifying: Live Coverage Introduction Philip will be here shortly to take you through this day's short race (2pm GMT) and grid-setting session (6pm). Real-Time Updates Warm-Up Lap Period The warm-up lap is underway. Track Information We have nineteen laps around the lengthiest track in Formula One, David Croft reminds us. Final Moments The countdown is on. Racer Positions One point in Verstappen's favour: his teammate Tsunoda is in front of him by one place. It's improbable to interfere with Red Bull's lead driver. Media Conversations Sky interviewing Sky now: Gary Neville is at the Mercedes team. The analyst is jumping ahead to the 2026 season, interviewing the engineer about his stepping up to Aston Martin team principal. Grid Details Just sixteen vehicles on the grid. This followed another poor grid-setting session for the driver: following his result of twentieth and final in the previous race, leading to an eighth-place finish in the grand prix, he failed to make it out of Q1 again on the previous day. The team have consequently adjusted to his setup and so he will start from the pit lane. The team's Stroll and the Alpine duo of Gasly and Franco Colapinto are all doing likewise. Driver Comments "We take the learning for the next day," states Isack Hadjar, 11th on the grid. Expect a lot of that. Constructors' Championship It's not all about the individual championship: The team have run away with the constructors' gong but Mercedes, with a 40-point lead over their rivals, will be hoping to seal second place during this event. George Russell can assist in this goal from the front row, and Kimi Antonelli will start just behind Verstappen. Past Performance Oscar Piastri won that day – as he did last year, as well. The driver from McLaren is attempting a hat-trick. Short Race Importance Right, approximately twenty minutes to go until the sprint race gets under way. Barring disaster, it's greatest value is as an indication of what is to come, rather than highly important in its itself, with just eight championship points awarded to the victor. Mind you, the runner-up spot here was sufficient for the driver to become champion two years ago. The driver wins F1 world title following his teammate's accident of Qatar GP sprint race.