🔗 Share this article Qatar Sprint Race and Grand Prix Grid Setting: Live Updates Introduction Our correspondent will be here shortly to guide you through today's sprint race (2pm GMT) and qualifying (18:00 GMT). Real-Time Updates Formation Lap Time The starting lap has started. Track Information There are 19 laps of the longest circuit in F1, David Croft reminds us. Countdown The countdown is underway. Driver Situation One point in Verstappen's advantage: his fellow driver Yuki Tsunoda is in front of him by one place. He is unlikely to challenge Red Bull's main man. Interview Updates Sky's internal discussion currently: the analyst is with Mercedes. The analyst is jumping ahead to 2026, interviewing Adrian Newey about his promotion to Aston Martin team principal. Starting Positions Just sixteen vehicles on the grid. This followed another bad qualifying for the driver: following his result of twentieth and final in the previous race, leading to an eighth position in the grand prix, he failed to make it out of Q1 once more on the previous day. The team have as a result adjusted to his setup and so he begins from the pit lane. Aston Martin's Stroll and the Alpine duo of Gasly and Franco Colapinto are all starting from the same position. Driver Comments "We take the learning for the next day," says Isack Hadjar, 11th on the grid. There will be plenty of learning. Team Standings It's not all about the drivers' title: McLaren have dominated the constructors' gong but the team, with a forty-point advantage over Red Bull, are aiming to seal second place during this event. Russell can assist in this goal from the front row, and Antonelli will begin immediately after Verstappen. Past Performance Piastri was victorious then – as he did last year, as well. McLaren's Australian is going for a hat-trick. Sprint Race Value Right, just over 20 minutes to go till the short race begins. Unless something goes wrong, it's greatest value is as a preview of future events, rather than highly important in its itself, with just eight championship points awarded to the victor. Mind you, second place here was enough for the driver to claim the title two years ago. The driver wins F1 world title after Pérez crashes out of the short race.