🔗 Share this article Qatar Short Race and Main Event Qualifying: Real-Time Updates Opening Notes The author will be here shortly to take you through today's sprint race (2pm GMT) and grid-setting session (6pm). Live Feed Formation Lap Period The starting lap has started. Circuit Details We have nineteen laps of the longest circuit in Formula 1, David Croft points out. Countdown The last moments is on. Racer Positions One point in Max Verstappen's advantage: his teammate Yuki Tsunoda is in front of him by one place. It's improbable to challenge Red Bull's main man. Media Conversations Sky's internal discussion currently: the analyst is at the Mercedes team. Karun Chandhok is looking forward to the 2026 season, speaking with Adrian Newey about his promotion to Aston Martin team principal. Grid Details There are only sixteen vehicles on the grid. It was another bad qualifying 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 the first qualifying segment once more on Friday. Ferrari have consequently adjusted to his setup and so he begins from the starting area. The team's Lance Stroll and the Alpine pair of Gasly and Colapinto are all starting from the same position. Racer Statements "We take the learning for tomorrow," says Isack Hadjar, 11th on the grid. Expect plenty of learning. Team Standings The focus isn't solely on the individual championship: The team have dominated the team championship but Mercedes, with a 40-point lead over Red Bull, will be hoping to secure the runner-up position during this event. George Russell can help them achieve that from second place, and Kimi Antonelli will start just behind the leader. Previous Results Piastri won that day – as he managed last year, too. The driver from McLaren is attempting a third consecutive win. Short Race Importance Right, just over 20 minutes to go until the sprint race begins. Barring disaster, its main importance is as a preview of what is to come, instead of highly important in its own right, with only eight points awarded to the victor. However, second place here was sufficient for Verstappen to claim the title two years ago. The driver claimed the championship following Pérez crashes out of the short race.