🔗 Share this article Qatar Sprint Race and Main Event Qualifying: Real-Time Updates Introduction Our correspondent is arriving soon to take you through today's short race (2pm GMT) and grid-setting session (18:00 GMT). Live Feed Starting Lap Period The warm-up lap is underway. Circuit Details There are 19 laps around the lengthiest track in F1, the commentator reminds us. Countdown The countdown is on. Driver Situation An advantage in Verstappen's favour: his teammate Yuki Tsunoda is in front of him by a single position. It's improbable to mess with the team's lead driver. Media Conversations Sky interviewing Sky now: the analyst is at the Mercedes team. The analyst is jumping ahead to 2026, interviewing Adrian Newey about his promotion to Aston Martin team principal. Grid Details Just 16 cars on the grid. It was another poor grid-setting session for the driver: after coming 20th and last in Las Vegas, leading to an eighth-place finish in the grand prix, he did not manage to advance of Q1 again on Friday. Ferrari have consequently adjusted to his setup and so he begins from the starting area. Aston Martin's Stroll and the Alpine pair of Gasly and Franco Colapinto are all starting from the same position. Racer Statements "We take the experience for the next day," states Isack Hadjar, 11th on the grid. Expect a lot of that. Team Standings It's not all about the individual championship: The team have run away with the constructors' gong but Mercedes, with a 40-point lead over their rivals, will be hoping to secure the runner-up position this weekend. George Russell can assist in this goal from the front row, and Kimi Antonelli will begin immediately after Verstappen. Previous Results Oscar Piastri was victorious then – as he managed the previous season, as well. McLaren's Australian is attempting a hat-trick. Short Race Importance Alright, approximately 20 minutes remaining until the short race gets under way. Unless something goes wrong, its main importance is as an indication of future events, rather than highly important in its own right, with only eight points awarded to the victor. However, the runner-up spot here was enough for the driver to become champion two years ago. Max Verstappen wins F1 world title after his teammate's accident of Qatar GP sprint race.