🔗 Share this article Qatar's Sprint Race and Main Event Qualifying: Real-Time Updates Preamble The author will be here shortly to take you through this day's sprint race (14:00 GMT) and grid-setting session (6pm). Live Feed Warm-Up Lap Time The starting lap has begun. Circuit Details There are nineteen laps around the lengthiest track in F1, David Croft informs us. Countdown The last moments is on. Driver Situation An advantage in Verstappen's advantage: his teammate Tsunoda is ahead of him by a single position. He is unlikely to mess with the team's main man. Media Conversations Sky's internal discussion now: the analyst is with Mercedes. The analyst is jumping ahead to the 2026 season, speaking with Adrian Newey about his promotion to the team team principal. Grid Details There are only sixteen vehicles on the grid. It was another poor grid-setting session for the driver: following his result of twentieth and final in Las Vegas, leading to an eighth-place finish in the grand prix, he did not manage to advance of the first qualifying segment again on Friday. Ferrari have as a result adjusted to his car configuration and so he begins from the pit lane. The team's Stroll and the Alpine pair of Pierre Gasly and Colapinto are all doing likewise. Driver Comments "We'll use the experience for the next day," says Hadjar, 11th on the grid. Expect a lot of that. Team Standings It's not all about the drivers' title: McLaren have run away with the constructors' gong but Mercedes, with a 40-point lead over Red Bull, are aiming to secure the runner-up position during this event. George Russell can assist in this goal from second place, and Kimi Antonelli will begin immediately after the leader. Previous Results Oscar Piastri was victorious then – as he did last year, as well. The driver from McLaren is attempting a third consecutive win. Short Race Importance Alright, just over 20 minutes remaining until the sprint race gets under way. Unless something goes wrong, its main importance is as a preview of what is to come, rather than highly important in its own right, with just eight championship points available to the winner. Mind you, the runner-up spot here was enough for Verstappen to become champion in a prior season. Max Verstappen claimed F1 world title after his teammate's accident of Qatar GP sprint race.