🔗 Share this article Qatar Sprint Race and Grand Prix Grid Setting: Real-Time Coverage Opening Notes Philip is arriving soon to cover today's short race (14:00 GMT) and qualifying (6pm). Real-Time Updates Starting Lap Time The warm-up lap has begun. Circuit Details We have nineteen laps of the longest circuit in Formula One, the commentator informs us. Countdown The final countdown is on. Driver Situation An advantage in Max Verstappen's advantage: his teammate Tsunoda is in front of him by one place. It's improbable to interfere with the team's lead driver. Interview Updates Sky interviewing Sky currently: the analyst is with Mercedes. The analyst is jumping ahead to the 2026 season, interviewing Adrian Newey about his stepping up to Aston Martin team principal. Starting Positions Just sixteen vehicles on the grid. It was another bad qualifying for the driver: after coming 20th and last in Las Vegas, leading to an eighth position in the main race, he did not manage to advance of Q1 again on the previous day. Ferrari have as a result adjusted to his car configuration and so he begins from the starting area. Aston Martin's Stroll and the Alpine duo of Pierre Gasly and Franco Colapinto are all doing likewise. Racer Statements "We'll use the learning for tomorrow," states Hadjar, starting eleventh. There will be plenty of learning. Team Standings The focus isn't solely on the individual championship: McLaren have run away with the team championship but the team, with a forty-point advantage over Red Bull, will be hoping to seal second place this weekend. George Russell can assist in this goal from the front row, and Antonelli will start just behind the leader. Past Performance Oscar Piastri was victorious then – as he did last year, too. McLaren's Australian is attempting a hat-trick. Short Race Importance Right, just over 20 minutes remaining until the sprint race begins. Unless something goes wrong, its main importance is as an indication of what is to come, rather than significant in its own right, with only eight points awarded to the victor. Mind you, second place here was sufficient for Verstappen to claim the title two years ago. Max Verstappen claimed F1 world title after his teammate's accident of the short race.