🔗 Share this article Qatar's Short Race and Grand Prix Grid Setting: Real-Time Updates Introduction Philip is arriving soon to guide you through today's sprint race (2pm GMT) and qualifying (6pm). Live Feed Warm-Up Lap Time The formation lap has started. Track Information There are nineteen laps of the longest circuit in Formula 1, the commentator informs us. Final Moments The final countdown has begun. Driver Situation An advantage in Max Verstappen's advantage: his fellow driver Tsunoda is in front of him by a single position. It's improbable to challenge the team'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 the engineer about his promotion to Aston Martin lead role. Starting Positions There are only 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 failed to advance of Q1 again on Friday. Ferrari have as a result adjusted 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 doing likewise. Driver Comments "We'll use the learning for tomorrow," says Hadjar, 11th on the grid. Expect plenty of learning. Team Standings It's not all about the individual championship: The team have run away with the constructors' gong but the team, with a forty-point advantage over their rivals, will be hoping to seal second place during this event. George Russell can assist in this goal from the front row, and Kimi Antonelli will begin immediately after the leader. Past Performance Piastri was victorious then – as he managed last year, too. The driver from McLaren is attempting a hat-trick. Sprint Race Value Right, just over 20 minutes remaining till the short race gets under way. Barring disaster, it's greatest value is as an indication of what is to come, instead of highly important in its own right, with just eight championship points awarded to the victor. Mind you, the runner-up spot in this race was enough for the driver to claim the title two years ago. Max Verstappen wins the championship following Pérez crashes out of Qatar GP sprint race.