🔗 Share this article Qatar's Sprint Race and Main Event Qualifying: Real-Time Coverage Opening Notes The author is about to begin to cover today's sprint race (2pm GMT) and grid-setting session (18:00 GMT). Current Events Starting Lap Period The formation lap has started. Track Information We have nineteen laps of the longest circuit in F1, David Croft informs us. Countdown The last moments is underway. Driver Situation One point in Max Verstappen's favour: his fellow driver Tsunoda is in front of him by one place. He is unlikely to challenge Red Bull's main man. Interview Updates Sky's internal discussion now: the analyst is at the Mercedes team. The analyst is jumping ahead to the 2026 season, interviewing Adrian Newey about his promotion to the team lead role. Starting Positions Just sixteen vehicles on the grid. It was another bad qualifying for the driver: following his result of 20th and last in the previous race, leading to an eighth position in the grand prix, he did not manage to advance of Q1 again on Friday. Ferrari have as a result adjusted to his car configuration and so he begins from the starting area. The team's Lance Stroll and the Alpine duo of Gasly and Colapinto are all starting from the same position. Racer Statements "We take the learning for tomorrow," states Isack Hadjar, starting eleventh. There will be a lot of that. Constructors' Championship The focus isn't solely on the drivers' title: McLaren have run away with the team championship but Mercedes, with a 40-point lead over their rivals, are aiming to seal second place during this event. George Russell can assist in this goal from the front row, and Antonelli will begin immediately after the leader. Past Performance Oscar Piastri won that day – as he did last year, as well. McLaren's Australian is attempting a third consecutive win. Sprint Race Value Alright, just over 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 highly important in its itself, with only eight points awarded to the victor. Mind you, the runner-up spot in this race was enough for the driver to become champion in a prior season. The driver wins F1 world title after Pérez crashes out of the short race.