🔗 Share this article Qatar's Short Race and Main Event Qualifying: Real-Time Updates Introduction Our correspondent is arriving soon to guide you through today's sprint race (14:00 GMT) and qualifying (18:00 GMT). Real-Time Updates Warm-Up Lap Period The formation lap is underway. Circuit Details We have nineteen laps around the lengthiest track in F1, the commentator informs us. Countdown The final countdown has begun. Racer Positions An advantage in Verstappen's advantage: his fellow driver Tsunoda is in front of him by a single position. He is unlikely to challenge Red Bull's main man. Media Conversations Sky speaking with Sky now: the analyst is with Mercedes. Karun Chandhok is looking forward to the 2026 season, speaking with Adrian Newey about his promotion to Aston Martin team principal. Starting Positions There are only 16 cars on the grid. This followed another poor grid-setting session for the driver: after coming 20th and last in the previous race, resulting in an eighth-place finish in the main race, he did not manage to make it out of Q1 again on Friday. The team have consequently made changes to his car configuration and so he will start from the pit lane. The team's Stroll and the Alpine duo of Gasly and Franco Colapinto are all starting from the same position. Driver Comments "We'll use the experience for tomorrow," says Isack Hadjar, starting eleventh. There will be plenty of learning. Team Standings The focus isn't solely on the drivers' title: McLaren have dominated the team championship but Mercedes, with a forty-point advantage over Red Bull, will be hoping to secure the runner-up position this weekend. Russell can assist in this goal from the front row, and Kimi Antonelli will begin immediately after Verstappen. Previous Results Piastri won that day – as he managed last year, as well. The driver from McLaren is going for a third consecutive win. Sprint Race Value Alright, approximately 20 minutes to go until the short race begins. Unless something goes wrong, it's greatest value is as a preview of what is to come, rather than highly important in its own right, with just eight championship points available to the victor. However, the runner-up spot in this race was sufficient for Verstappen to claim the title two years ago. The driver wins the championship after his teammate's accident of the short race.