🔗 Share this article Qatar Sprint Race and Grand Prix Grid Setting: Real-Time Coverage Introduction The author will be here shortly to cover this day's sprint race (2pm GMT) and qualifying (18:00 GMT). Live Feed Warm-Up Lap Period The warm-up lap is underway. Track Information We have 19 laps of the longest circuit in F1, the commentator informs us. Final Moments The last moments has begun. Driver Situation An advantage in Max Verstappen's favour: his teammate Tsunoda is in front of him by a single position. It's improbable to interfere with Red Bull's main man. Interview Updates Sky's internal discussion currently: Gary Neville is with Mercedes. Karun Chandhok is looking forward to the 2026 season, speaking with the engineer about his stepping up to Aston Martin lead role. Starting Positions Just 16 cars on the grid. This followed another poor grid-setting session for Lewis Hamilton: after coming 20th and last in the previous race, resulting in an eighth position in the grand prix, he did not manage to make it out of Q1 again on the previous day. Ferrari have as a result made changes to his car configuration and so he will start from the starting area. The team's Stroll and the Alpine pair of Pierre Gasly and Franco Colapinto are all starting from the same position. Driver Comments "We take the experience for the next day," says Hadjar, 11th on the grid. There will be plenty of learning. Constructors' Championship The focus isn't solely on the individual championship: McLaren have run away with the team championship but the team, with a forty-point advantage over their rivals, are aiming to secure the runner-up position this weekend. George Russell can help them achieve that from the front row, and Antonelli will begin immediately after Verstappen. Previous Results Oscar Piastri won that day – as he managed the previous season, as well. The driver from McLaren is going for a hat-trick. Short Race Importance Right, approximately twenty minutes to go till the short race gets under way. Unless something goes wrong, it's greatest value is as a preview of what is to come, rather than highly important in its itself, with only eight points available to the victor. Mind you, second place here was enough for Verstappen to become champion in a prior season. The driver claimed the championship following his teammate's accident of the short race.