🔗 Share this article Qatar's Sprint Race and Main Event Grid Setting: Real-Time Coverage Opening Notes Philip will be here shortly to take you through this day's short race (2pm GMT) and grid-setting session (6pm). Live Feed Warm-Up Lap Period The warm-up lap has begun. Circuit Details We have 19 laps of the longest circuit in F1, the commentator informs us. Countdown The last moments has begun. Racer Positions An advantage in Max Verstappen's favour: his teammate Tsunoda is in front of him by a single position. It's improbable to mess with Red Bull's lead driver. Media Conversations Sky's internal discussion currently: the analyst is at the Mercedes team. Karun Chandhok is looking forward to the 2026 season, interviewing the engineer about his stepping up to Aston Martin team principal. Grid Details There are only sixteen vehicles on the grid. This followed another poor grid-setting session for the driver: following his result of twentieth and final in the previous race, leading to an eighth position in the main race, he did not manage to advance of Q1 again on Friday. The team have as a result made changes to his car configuration and so he will start from the pit lane. The team's Stroll and the Alpine pair of Pierre Gasly and Colapinto are all starting from the same position. Racer Statements "We'll use the experience for tomorrow," says Isack Hadjar, starting eleventh. There will be a lot of that. Team Standings The focus isn't solely on the drivers' title: The team have dominated the constructors' gong but Mercedes, with a 40-point lead over Red Bull, are aiming to secure the runner-up position this weekend. Russell can help them achieve that from the front row, and Antonelli will start just behind Verstappen. Past Performance Oscar Piastri was victorious then – as he did last year, as well. McLaren's Australian is attempting a hat-trick. Sprint Race Value Right, approximately 20 minutes to go till 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 own right, with just eight championship points awarded to the victor. However, the runner-up spot in this race was enough for Verstappen to claim the title two years ago. Max Verstappen wins the championship following his teammate's accident of the short race.