🔗 Share this article Qatar's Sprint Race and Main Event Grid Setting: Live Updates Preamble The author will be here shortly to guide you through this day's sprint race (14:00 GMT) and grid-setting session (18:00 GMT). Real-Time Updates Warm-Up Lap Period The warm-up lap is underway. Circuit Details We have 19 laps around the lengthiest track in Formula One, David Croft reminds us. Final Moments The countdown is on. Driver Situation One point in Verstappen's advantage: his teammate Yuki Tsunoda is ahead of him by one place. It's improbable to challenge Red Bull's main man. Media Conversations Sky's internal discussion now: Gary Neville is at the Mercedes team. The analyst is jumping ahead to the 2026 season, speaking with the engineer about his promotion to the team lead role. Starting Positions Just sixteen vehicles on the grid. This followed 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 once more on the previous day. The team have as a result made changes to his setup 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. Driver Comments "We take the experience for the next day," states Hadjar, 11th on the grid. There will be plenty of learning. Team Standings The focus isn't solely on the drivers' title: The team have dominated the team championship but the team, with a 40-point lead over their rivals, will be hoping to secure the runner-up position during this event. Russell can help them achieve that from the front row, and Kimi Antonelli will start just behind the leader. Past Performance Piastri was victorious then – as he managed the previous season, as well. McLaren's Australian is going for a hat-trick. Short Race Importance Alright, just over 20 minutes remaining till the short race gets under way. Barring disaster, its main importance is as an indication of what is to come, rather than significant in its itself, with just eight championship points awarded to the winner. However, second place here was enough for the driver to claim the title in a prior season. The driver claimed the championship after Pérez crashes out of Qatar GP sprint race.