🔗 Share this article Qatar Short Race and Grand Prix Qualifying: Live Coverage Introduction Our correspondent is about to begin to guide you through this day's sprint race (14:00 GMT) and qualifying (6pm). Real-Time Updates Formation Lap Time The formation lap has begun. Track Information We have nineteen laps around the lengthiest track in Formula 1, David Croft reminds us. Countdown The countdown has begun. Driver Situation One point in Verstappen's advantage: his fellow driver Tsunoda is ahead of him by one place. He is unlikely to interfere with Red Bull's lead driver. Interview Updates Sky interviewing Sky currently: the analyst is at the Mercedes team. Karun Chandhok is jumping ahead to the 2026 season, speaking with the engineer about his promotion to Aston Martin lead role. Grid Details Just 16 cars on the grid. It was another bad qualifying for Lewis Hamilton: following his result of twentieth and final in Las Vegas, leading to an eighth-place finish in the grand prix, he did not manage to advance of the first qualifying segment once more on Friday. Ferrari have as a result adjusted to his setup and so he will start from the pit lane. Aston Martin's Stroll and the Alpine pair of Gasly and Franco Colapinto are all doing likewise. Racer Statements "We take the learning for the next day," states Hadjar, starting eleventh. Expect a lot of that. Team Standings It's not all about the drivers' title: McLaren have dominated the team championship but the team, with a forty-point advantage over Red Bull, will be hoping to secure the runner-up position this weekend. George Russell can help them achieve that from the front row, and Kimi Antonelli will start just behind Verstappen. Past Performance Piastri was victorious then – as he did the previous season, too. The driver from McLaren is attempting a third consecutive win. Sprint Race Value Alright, approximately 20 minutes remaining until the short race gets under way. Unless something goes wrong, it's greatest value is as a preview of future events, rather than highly important in its own right, with only eight points awarded to the winner. Mind you, the runner-up spot here was enough for Verstappen to claim the title two years ago. The driver wins the championship after Pérez crashes out of Qatar GP sprint race.