🔗 Share this article Qatar Sprint Race and Main Event Qualifying: Real-Time Coverage Introduction Our correspondent will be here shortly to take you through this day's sprint race (14:00 GMT) and grid-setting session (6pm). Live Feed Formation Lap Time The formation lap is underway. Track Information We have nineteen laps around the lengthiest track in Formula One, David Croft reminds us. Final Moments The final countdown has begun. Driver Situation An advantage in Verstappen's advantage: his fellow driver Tsunoda is ahead of him by one place. It's improbable to interfere with Red Bull's main man. Media Conversations Sky speaking with Sky now: the analyst is at the Mercedes team. Karun Chandhok is jumping ahead to the 2026 season, interviewing Adrian Newey about his promotion 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 twentieth and final in Las Vegas, resulting in an eighth-place finish in the grand prix, he failed to advance of Q1 once more on the previous day. Ferrari have consequently adjusted to his car configuration and so he begins from the starting area. The team's Stroll and the Alpine pair of Pierre Gasly and Colapinto are all doing likewise. Racer Statements "We'll use the learning for tomorrow," states Isack Hadjar, 11th on the grid. Expect a lot of that. Team Standings The focus isn't solely on the individual championship: McLaren have dominated the team championship but Mercedes, with a forty-point advantage over Red Bull, will be hoping to seal second place during this event. Russell can assist in this goal from the front row, and Kimi Antonelli will start just behind Verstappen. Previous Results Oscar Piastri won that day – as he did the previous season, as well. The driver from McLaren is going for a hat-trick. Short Race Importance Alright, approximately 20 minutes to go until the sprint race gets under way. Barring disaster, its main importance is as an indication of what is to come, instead of highly important in its itself, with only eight points available to the victor. However, the runner-up spot here was sufficient for the driver to become champion two years ago. Max Verstappen wins the championship following Pérez crashes out of the short race.