🔗 Share this article Qatar's Sprint Race and Main Event Grid Setting: Live Coverage Opening Notes Our correspondent is about to begin to cover today's sprint race (14:00 GMT) and qualifying (18:00 GMT). Real-Time Updates Starting Lap Period The formation lap has begun. Circuit Details There are 19 laps around the lengthiest track in Formula 1, David Croft reminds us. Countdown The last moments has begun. Driver Situation An advantage in Verstappen's advantage: his fellow driver Yuki Tsunoda is ahead of him by a single position. He is unlikely to challenge the team's lead driver. Media Conversations Sky interviewing Sky now: Gary Neville is at the Mercedes team. Karun Chandhok is looking forward to the 2026 season, interviewing the engineer about his stepping up to the team lead role. Grid Details There are only 16 cars on the grid. It was another poor grid-setting session for the driver: following his result of 20th and last in Las Vegas, leading to an eighth position in the grand prix, he failed to advance of the first qualifying segment again on Friday. Ferrari have as a result made changes to his setup and so he will start from the starting area. Aston Martin's Lance Stroll and the Alpine duo of Gasly and Franco Colapinto are all starting from the same position. Racer Statements "We'll use the learning for the next day," says Hadjar, 11th on the grid. There will be a lot of that. Constructors' Championship It's not all about the drivers' title: McLaren have dominated the constructors' gong but the team, with a 40-point lead over their rivals, will be hoping to seal second place during this event. Russell can assist in this goal from the front row, and Kimi Antonelli will start just behind Verstappen. Past Performance Piastri was victorious then – as he did last year, as well. The driver from McLaren is attempting a hat-trick. Short Race Importance Alright, just over 20 minutes to go until the short race begins. Barring disaster, it's greatest value is as an indication of future events, rather than highly important in its own right, with just eight championship points available to the victor. However, second place here was enough for Verstappen to claim the title in a prior season. The driver wins F1 world title following Pérez crashes out of Qatar GP sprint race.