🔗 Share this article Qatar Sprint Race and Grand Prix Qualifying: Real-Time Coverage Preamble Our correspondent is arriving soon to cover this day's sprint race (14:00 GMT) and grid-setting session (18:00 GMT). Current Events Warm-Up Lap Time The warm-up lap has started. Track Information We have 19 laps of the longest circuit in Formula One, the commentator informs us. Countdown The countdown has begun. Driver Situation An advantage in Max Verstappen's advantage: his teammate Yuki Tsunoda is in front of him by one place. It's improbable to challenge Red Bull's lead driver. Interview Updates Sky interviewing Sky currently: the analyst is at the Mercedes team. The analyst is looking forward to the 2026 season, interviewing the engineer about his stepping up to Aston Martin lead role. Grid Details There are only sixteen vehicles on the grid. It was another poor grid-setting session for the driver: following his result of twentieth and final 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 as a result adjusted to his setup and so he begins from the starting area. Aston Martin'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 learning for the next day," states Isack Hadjar, starting eleventh. Expect a lot of that. Constructors' Championship The focus isn't solely on the individual championship: The team have dominated the constructors' gong but the team, with a 40-point lead over Red Bull, are aiming to secure the runner-up position this weekend. George Russell can assist in this goal from second place, and Kimi Antonelli will begin immediately after the leader. Past Performance Piastri was victorious then – as he managed the previous season, as well. McLaren's Australian is going for a third consecutive win. Short Race Importance Right, approximately 20 minutes to go until the sprint race gets under way. Unless something goes wrong, it's greatest value is as an indication of what is to come, instead of highly important in its itself, with just eight championship points awarded to the victor. Mind you, the runner-up spot here was sufficient for the driver to become champion two years ago. Max Verstappen wins F1 world title following Pérez crashes out of the short race.