🔗 Share this article Qatar Short Race and Grand Prix Qualifying: Live Updates Introduction The author is arriving soon to cover this day's sprint race (14:00 GMT) and grid-setting session (18:00 GMT). Real-Time Updates Warm-Up Lap Time The warm-up lap is underway. Circuit Details There are 19 laps around the lengthiest track in Formula 1, David Croft informs us. Final Moments The countdown is on. Racer Positions An advantage in Max Verstappen's favour: his fellow driver Tsunoda is ahead of him by one place. It's improbable to mess with Red Bull's main man. Media Conversations Sky speaking with Sky now: the analyst is with Mercedes. Karun Chandhok is looking forward to the 2026 season, speaking with Adrian Newey about his stepping up to Aston Martin team principal. Grid Details There are only 16 cars on the grid. This followed another poor grid-setting session for the driver: following his result of 20th and last in Las Vegas, leading to an eighth-place finish in the grand prix, he failed to make it out of Q1 once more on the previous day. Ferrari have consequently adjusted to his setup and so he will start from the starting area. Aston Martin's Stroll and the Alpine pair of Gasly and Colapinto are all doing likewise. Driver Comments "We'll use the experience for the next day," says Isack Hadjar, starting eleventh. Expect a lot of that. Team Standings It's not all about the drivers' title: McLaren have run away with the team championship but Mercedes, with a 40-point lead over their rivals, are aiming to secure the runner-up position this weekend. George Russell can help them achieve that from the front row, and Antonelli will start just behind the leader. Past Performance Oscar Piastri won that day – as he did the previous season, as well. McLaren's Australian is going for a third consecutive win. Sprint Race Value Right, just over twenty minutes to go till the sprint race begins. Barring disaster, its main importance is as a preview of what is to come, instead of highly important in its itself, with just eight championship points available to the victor. However, second place here was sufficient for Verstappen to become champion two years ago. The driver wins the championship following Pérez crashes out of the short race.