🔗 Share this article Qatar Sprint Race and Grand Prix Grid Setting: Live Updates Introduction Philip is arriving soon to take you through this day's short race (2pm GMT) and qualifying (18:00 GMT). Current Events Starting Lap Time The starting lap is underway. Circuit Details We have nineteen laps around the lengthiest track in F1, the commentator points out. Countdown The final countdown is underway. Driver Situation One point in Max Verstappen's advantage: his teammate Tsunoda is ahead of him by one place. It's improbable to mess with the team's main man. Media Conversations Sky's internal discussion currently: the analyst is at the Mercedes team. Karun Chandhok is looking forward to 2026, interviewing Adrian Newey about his stepping up to Aston Martin team principal. Grid Details There are only sixteen vehicles on the grid. It was another poor grid-setting session for the driver: after coming 20th and last in the previous race, resulting in an eighth position in the main race, he failed to make it out of the first qualifying segment once more on Friday. The team have consequently made changes to his car configuration and so he will start from the starting area. The team's Stroll and the Alpine pair of Gasly and Franco Colapinto are all starting from the same position. Driver Comments "We'll use the learning for the next day," states Isack Hadjar, 11th on the grid. Expect plenty of learning. Constructors' Championship It's not all about the individual championship: McLaren have dominated the team championship but Mercedes, with a 40-point lead over Red Bull, are aiming to secure the runner-up position this weekend. George Russell can help them achieve that from the front row, and Antonelli will start just behind Verstappen. Past Performance Piastri won that day – as he did last year, as well. The driver from McLaren is attempting a third consecutive win. Short Race Importance Alright, approximately 20 minutes remaining till the sprint race gets under way. Barring disaster, it's greatest value is as an indication of what is to come, instead of highly important in its own right, with only eight points available to the victor. Mind you, the runner-up spot in this race was sufficient for the driver to claim the title in a prior season. Max Verstappen claimed the championship following Pérez crashes out of Qatar GP sprint race.