🔗 Share this article Qatar Sprint Race and Grand Prix Grid Setting: Real-Time Coverage Introduction Philip will be here shortly to take you through today's sprint race (2pm GMT) and qualifying (18:00 GMT). Current Events Starting Lap Time The formation lap is underway. Circuit Details We have 19 laps of the longest circuit in F1, the commentator reminds us. Countdown The countdown has begun. Driver Situation An advantage in Max Verstappen's favour: his teammate Tsunoda is in front of him by one place. He is unlikely to interfere with the team's main man. Interview Updates Sky's internal discussion currently: the analyst is at the Mercedes team. The analyst is looking forward to 2026, speaking with the engineer about his stepping up to the team lead role. Starting Positions There are only sixteen vehicles on the grid. It was another bad qualifying for Lewis Hamilton: following his result of 20th and last in the previous race, 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 consequently adjusted to his setup and so he begins from the pit lane. The team's Stroll and the Alpine duo of Gasly and Franco Colapinto are all starting from the same position. Driver Comments "We'll use the experience for the next day," states Isack Hadjar, starting eleventh. Expect a lot of that. Team Standings It's not all about the individual championship: The team have run away with the team championship but the team, with a 40-point lead over Red Bull, are aiming to secure the runner-up position during this event. George Russell can help them achieve that from the front row, and Kimi Antonelli will begin immediately after Verstappen. Past Performance Oscar Piastri won that day – as he did last year, as well. McLaren's Australian is attempting a third consecutive win. Short Race Importance Alright, approximately 20 minutes to go till 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. However, second place in this race was enough for the driver to become champion two years ago. The driver wins the championship after his teammate's accident of the short race.