🔗 Share this article Qatar's Sprint Race and Main Event Qualifying: Real-Time Coverage Opening Notes Our correspondent will be here shortly to take you through this day's sprint race (14:00 GMT) and grid-setting session (18:00 GMT). Real-Time Updates Starting Lap Time The formation lap has started. Track Information There are nineteen laps around the lengthiest track in Formula 1, David Croft informs us. Countdown The final countdown is underway. Racer Positions One point in Verstappen's favour: his teammate Tsunoda is in front of him by one place. He is unlikely to mess with the team's lead driver. Interview Updates Sky's internal discussion currently: Gary Neville is with Mercedes. Karun Chandhok is looking forward to 2026, speaking with Adrian Newey about his promotion to the team team principal. Starting Positions There are only sixteen vehicles on the grid. This followed another bad qualifying for the driver: following his result of twentieth and final in the previous race, resulting in an eighth position in the grand prix, he did not manage to advance of the first qualifying segment again on Friday. Ferrari have as a result made changes to his setup and so he will start from the pit lane. The team's Lance Stroll and the Alpine duo of Pierre Gasly and Colapinto are all starting from the same position. Driver Comments "We'll use the experience for tomorrow," states Hadjar, starting eleventh. There will be plenty of learning. Constructors' Championship The focus isn't solely on the drivers' title: McLaren have dominated the team championship but Mercedes, with a 40-point lead over Red Bull, are aiming to seal second place this weekend. George Russell can assist in this goal from second place, and Antonelli will begin immediately after Verstappen. Past Performance Piastri won that day – as he did last year, too. The driver from McLaren is attempting a hat-trick. Short Race Importance Right, just over 20 minutes to go until the sprint race begins. Barring disaster, it's greatest value is as a preview of what is to come, instead of highly important in its own right, with just eight championship points available to the victor. Mind you, second place here was sufficient for Verstappen to claim the title two years ago. Max Verstappen claimed the championship following his teammate's accident of Qatar GP sprint race.