🔗 Share this article Qatar Short Race and Main Event Qualifying: Live Coverage Introduction Our correspondent is arriving soon to cover today's short race (2pm GMT) and qualifying (18:00 GMT). Current Events Starting Lap Time The formation lap is underway. Circuit Details There are nineteen laps of the longest circuit in Formula 1, David Croft informs us. Countdown The countdown is on. Driver Situation One point in Max Verstappen's advantage: his fellow driver Yuki Tsunoda is in front of him by one place. He is unlikely to mess with Red Bull's main man. Interview Updates Sky speaking with Sky currently: the analyst is at the Mercedes team. The analyst is jumping ahead to the 2026 season, interviewing Adrian Newey about his stepping up to the team lead role. Starting Positions Just sixteen vehicles on the grid. It was another poor grid-setting session for the driver: following his result of 20th and last in the previous race, leading to an eighth position in the grand prix, he failed to advance of the first qualifying segment again on the previous day. The team have as a result made changes to his setup and so he will start from the starting area. The team's Lance Stroll and the Alpine pair of Gasly and Colapinto are all doing likewise. Racer Statements "We take the experience for tomorrow," says Hadjar, 11th on the grid. Expect plenty of learning. Constructors' Championship It's not all about the drivers' title: The team have dominated the team championship but Mercedes, with a forty-point advantage over Red Bull, will be hoping to seal second place this weekend. Russell can help them achieve that from the front row, and Antonelli will start just behind Verstappen. Previous Results Oscar Piastri was victorious then – as he did last year, as well. The driver from McLaren is attempting a third consecutive win. Sprint Race Value Alright, approximately 20 minutes to go till the sprint race gets under way. Barring disaster, its main importance is as a preview of what is to come, instead of significant in its itself, with just eight championship points available to the winner. However, second place here was sufficient for the driver to claim the title in a prior season. The driver claimed the championship following Pérez crashes out of Qatar GP sprint race.