🔗 Share this article Qatar Sprint Race and Main Event Grid Setting: Live Coverage Introduction Our correspondent is about to begin to guide you through this day's short race (2pm GMT) and qualifying (6pm). Current Events Starting Lap Time The warm-up lap has begun. Circuit Details We have nineteen laps of the longest circuit in Formula 1, David Croft reminds us. Final Moments The last moments is on. Racer Positions An advantage in Max Verstappen's favour: his teammate Yuki Tsunoda is in front of him by a single position. It's improbable to interfere with Red Bull's lead driver. Media Conversations Sky speaking with Sky currently: the analyst is at the Mercedes team. The analyst is looking forward to the 2026 season, interviewing Adrian Newey about his promotion to the team team principal. Grid Details Just sixteen vehicles on the grid. It was another poor grid-setting session for the driver: after coming 20th and last in Las Vegas, resulting in an eighth position in the grand prix, he failed to advance of the first qualifying segment again on Friday. The team have as a result made changes to his car configuration and so he will start from the pit lane. The team's Stroll and the Alpine duo of Pierre Gasly and Colapinto are all doing likewise. Racer Statements "We take the experience for tomorrow," states Isack Hadjar, starting eleventh. Expect plenty of learning. Team Standings The focus isn't solely on the drivers' title: McLaren have run away with the constructors' gong but Mercedes, with a 40-point lead over their rivals, are aiming to secure the runner-up position this weekend. Russell can assist in this goal from second place, and Kimi Antonelli will begin immediately after the leader. Past Performance Piastri won that day – as he did the previous season, too. McLaren's Australian is attempting a hat-trick. Short Race Importance Right, just over 20 minutes to go until the short race begins. Unless something goes wrong, its main importance is as a preview of what is to come, rather than significant in its itself, with only eight points available to the winner. However, second place in this race was sufficient for Verstappen to claim the title two years ago. Max Verstappen wins F1 world title after Pérez crashes out of the short race.