🔗 Share this article Qatar Short Race and Grand Prix Qualifying: Live Updates Opening Notes The author will be here shortly to cover today's sprint race (2pm GMT) and grid-setting session (18:00 GMT). Current Events Formation Lap Time The formation lap is underway. Circuit Details There are nineteen laps around the lengthiest track in F1, David Croft reminds us. Countdown The final countdown has begun. Racer Positions An advantage in Max Verstappen's advantage: his teammate Tsunoda is ahead of him by one place. It's improbable to challenge the team's main man. Interview Updates Sky speaking with Sky now: the analyst is at the Mercedes team. Karun Chandhok is jumping ahead to the 2026 season, speaking with the engineer about his stepping up to Aston Martin team principal. Grid Details There are only sixteen vehicles on the grid. It was another poor grid-setting session for Lewis Hamilton: 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 Q1 once more on Friday. The team have consequently adjusted to his car configuration and so he begins from the pit lane. The team's Lance Stroll and the Alpine pair of Pierre Gasly and Colapinto are all starting from the same position. Driver Comments "We'll use the experience for tomorrow," says Isack Hadjar, starting eleventh. Expect a lot of that. Constructors' Championship The focus isn't solely on the drivers' title: McLaren have run away with the team championship but Mercedes, with a forty-point advantage over their rivals, will be hoping to seal second place during this event. Russell can assist in this goal from the front row, and Antonelli will begin immediately after the leader. Previous Results Oscar Piastri was victorious then – as he did the previous season, too. McLaren's Australian is going for a hat-trick. Sprint Race Value Right, just over 20 minutes remaining until the short race gets under way. Barring disaster, its main importance is as an indication of future events, rather than highly important in its itself, with just eight championship points available to the winner. Mind you, second place here was sufficient for the driver to claim the title two years ago. Max Verstappen wins the championship following his teammate's accident of the short race.