🔗 Share this article Qatar Short Race and Main Event Qualifying: Real-Time Coverage Introduction Our correspondent is about to begin to cover this day's sprint race (2pm GMT) and grid-setting session (18:00 GMT). Current Events Warm-Up Lap Time The warm-up lap is underway. Track Information We have nineteen laps around the lengthiest track in F1, David Croft points out. Final Moments The last moments is on. Driver Situation An advantage in Verstappen's advantage: his fellow driver Tsunoda is ahead of him by a single position. He is unlikely to challenge 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, interviewing Adrian Newey about his promotion to Aston Martin lead role. Grid Details Just sixteen vehicles on the grid. This followed another poor grid-setting session for the driver: after coming 20th and last in the previous race, leading to an eighth-place finish in the main race, he did not manage to advance of Q1 again on Friday. Ferrari have as a result adjusted to his setup and so he will start from the pit lane. Aston Martin's Lance Stroll and the Alpine pair of Gasly and Colapinto are all starting from the same position. Racer Statements "We take the experience for the next day," states Isack Hadjar, 11th on the grid. There will be plenty of learning. Team Standings It's not all about the individual championship: The team have dominated the constructors' gong but Mercedes, with a forty-point advantage over their rivals, are aiming to secure the runner-up position this weekend. George Russell can help them achieve that from second place, and Kimi Antonelli will begin immediately after the leader. Previous Results Piastri won that day – as he managed last year, too. McLaren's Australian is attempting a hat-trick. Sprint Race Value Alright, just over twenty minutes remaining till the short race begins. Unless something goes wrong, it's greatest value is as a preview of what is to come, rather than highly important in its itself, with only eight points available to the winner. Mind you, the runner-up spot in this race was enough for Verstappen to become champion two years ago. Max Verstappen claimed F1 world title following Pérez crashes out of the short race.