🔗 Share this article Qatar Short Race and Grand Prix Qualifying: Live Updates Introduction The author will be here shortly to take you through today's sprint race (2pm GMT) and grid-setting session (18:00 GMT). Real-Time Updates Warm-Up Lap Period The starting lap is underway. Circuit Details There are nineteen laps of the longest circuit in Formula 1, David Croft informs us. Countdown The countdown has begun. Driver Situation An advantage in Verstappen's advantage: his fellow driver Yuki Tsunoda is in front of him by one place. He is unlikely to mess with Red Bull's lead driver. Media Conversations Sky speaking with Sky now: Gary Neville is at the Mercedes team. Karun Chandhok is jumping ahead to 2026, speaking with Adrian Newey about his stepping up to the team team principal. Grid Details Just 16 cars on the grid. This followed another poor grid-setting session for Lewis Hamilton: after coming 20th and last in Las Vegas, resulting in an eighth-place finish in the grand prix, he did not manage to make it out of the first qualifying segment again on the previous day. Ferrari have as a result made changes to his setup and so he begins from the starting area. Aston Martin's Lance Stroll and the Alpine duo of Gasly and Colapinto are all starting from the same position. Racer Statements "We'll use the experience for the next day," states 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 Mercedes, 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 Kimi Antonelli will start just behind the leader. Past Performance Oscar Piastri was victorious then – as he did the previous season, as well. The driver from McLaren is attempting a hat-trick. Sprint Race Value Right, just over twenty minutes to go until the sprint race gets under way. Barring disaster, it's greatest value is as an indication of future events, instead of highly important in its own right, with only eight points awarded to the victor. Mind you, second place here was sufficient for the driver to become champion in a prior season. The driver claimed the championship following Pérez crashes out of Qatar GP sprint race.