🔗 Share this article Qatar Sprint Race and Grand Prix Grid Setting: Live Coverage Introduction Philip is arriving soon to cover this day's sprint race (2pm GMT) and qualifying (6pm). Real-Time Updates Formation Lap Period The starting lap has begun. Track Information We have nineteen laps around the lengthiest track in F1, David Croft reminds us. Final Moments The final countdown is on. Driver Situation One point in Max Verstappen's favour: his fellow driver Tsunoda is ahead of him by a single position. It's improbable to interfere with Red Bull's main man. Media Conversations Sky interviewing Sky now: Gary Neville is with Mercedes. Karun Chandhok is looking forward to the 2026 season, speaking with the engineer about his promotion to the team lead role. Grid Details Just sixteen vehicles on the grid. This followed another bad qualifying for the driver: following his result of 20th and last in the previous race, resulting in an eighth-place finish in the main race, he did not manage to advance of the first qualifying segment once more on the previous day. The team have consequently adjusted to his car configuration and so he will start from the starting area. Aston Martin's Lance Stroll and the Alpine duo of Gasly and Colapinto are all starting from the same position. Driver Comments "We take the learning for the next day," states Isack Hadjar, starting eleventh. There will be plenty of learning. Team Standings It's not all about the individual championship: The team have run away with the team championship but Mercedes, with a forty-point advantage over Red Bull, will be hoping to seal second place during this event. Russell can assist in this goal from second place, and Antonelli will start just behind Verstappen. Previous Results Piastri won that day – 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. Barring disaster, its main importance is as an indication of what is to come, instead of significant in its itself, with only eight points awarded to the victor. Mind you, the runner-up spot in this race was sufficient for Verstappen to claim the title in a prior season. The driver claimed the championship following Pérez crashes out of the short race.