🔗 Share this article Qatar Short Race and Main Event Qualifying: Live Updates Opening Notes Our correspondent will be here shortly to take you through this day's sprint race (14:00 GMT) and qualifying (6pm). Real-Time Updates Starting Lap Time The warm-up lap has begun. Track Information We have nineteen laps of the longest circuit in Formula One, the commentator points out. Final Moments The countdown has begun. Driver Situation An advantage in Verstappen's favour: his fellow driver Tsunoda is ahead of him by a single position. It's improbable to interfere with Red Bull's lead driver. Media Conversations Sky speaking with Sky currently: the analyst is with Mercedes. Karun Chandhok is jumping ahead to the 2026 season, speaking with Adrian Newey about his stepping up to Aston Martin team principal. Grid Details There are only sixteen vehicles on the grid. It was another poor grid-setting session for the driver: following his result of twentieth and final in the previous race, resulting in an eighth position in the main race, he failed to advance of the first qualifying segment again on Friday. Ferrari have as a result adjusted to his car configuration and so he begins from the pit lane. Aston Martin's Stroll and the Alpine pair of Gasly and Franco Colapinto are all doing likewise. Racer Statements "We take the experience for the next day," says Isack Hadjar, 11th on the grid. There will be a lot of that. Constructors' Championship The focus isn't solely on the drivers' title: The team have dominated the team championship but Mercedes, with a forty-point advantage over Red Bull, will be hoping to secure the runner-up position during this event. Russell can assist in this goal from the front row, and Kimi Antonelli will begin immediately after Verstappen. Previous Results Oscar Piastri was victorious then – as he managed the previous season, too. The driver from McLaren is attempting a third consecutive win. Short Race Importance Alright, approximately twenty minutes to go until the short race begins. Unless something goes wrong, its main importance is as an indication of what is to come, rather than highly important in its itself, with just eight championship points awarded to the winner. Mind you, the runner-up spot in this race was sufficient for Verstappen to become champion two years ago. The driver claimed F1 world title after his teammate's accident of Qatar GP sprint race.