🔗 Share this article Qatar's Short Race and Grand Prix Qualifying: Real-Time Updates Introduction Philip is arriving soon to cover today's sprint race (14:00 GMT) and grid-setting session (6pm). Current Events Formation Lap Period The starting lap has begun. Track Information We have nineteen laps of the longest circuit in Formula 1, the commentator points out. Countdown The countdown is underway. Driver Situation An advantage in Max Verstappen's advantage: his fellow driver Yuki Tsunoda is ahead of him by a single position. It's improbable to challenge Red Bull's lead driver. Media Conversations Sky's internal discussion now: the analyst is with Mercedes. Karun Chandhok is jumping ahead to the 2026 season, speaking with Adrian Newey about his stepping up to Aston Martin team principal. Grid Details There are only 16 cars on the grid. It was another bad qualifying for Lewis Hamilton: after coming 20th and last in the previous race, resulting in an eighth-place finish in the main race, he failed to make it out of the first qualifying segment again on the previous day. Ferrari have consequently made changes to his setup and so he begins from the pit lane. Aston Martin's Stroll and the Alpine duo of Gasly and Colapinto are all doing likewise. Racer Statements "We take the experience for the next day," states Isack Hadjar, 11th on the grid. Expect a lot of that. Constructors' Championship It's not all about the individual championship: The team have dominated the team championship but the team, with a 40-point lead over Red Bull, are aiming to seal second place this weekend. Russell can assist in this goal from second place, and Kimi Antonelli will begin immediately after Verstappen. Past Performance Piastri won that day – as he did last year, too. McLaren's Australian is attempting a third consecutive win. Short Race Importance Alright, just over twenty minutes to go till the sprint race gets under way. Unless something goes wrong, its main importance is as an indication of what is to come, instead of highly important in its own right, with only eight points available to the winner. Mind you, second place in this race was sufficient for Verstappen to become champion in a prior season. The driver wins the championship following his teammate's accident of Qatar GP sprint race.