🔗 Share this article Qatar Sprint Race and Grand Prix Grid Setting: Live Updates Opening Notes The author will be here shortly to guide you through today's sprint race (14:00 GMT) and grid-setting session (6pm). Current Events Warm-Up Lap Period The warm-up lap has begun. Circuit Details We have 19 laps around the lengthiest track in Formula 1, David Croft reminds us. Countdown The last moments has begun. Racer Positions An advantage in Verstappen's advantage: his teammate Yuki Tsunoda is in front of him by one place. He is unlikely to mess with Red Bull's lead driver. Interview Updates Sky interviewing Sky currently: Gary Neville is with Mercedes. Karun Chandhok is jumping ahead to the 2026 season, speaking with Adrian Newey about his promotion to the team lead role. Grid Details There are only sixteen vehicles on the grid. It was another bad qualifying for Lewis Hamilton: after coming twentieth and final in Las Vegas, leading to an eighth-place finish 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 begins from the starting area. Aston Martin's Stroll and the Alpine pair of Pierre Gasly and Colapinto are all starting from the same position. Racer Statements "We take the experience for the next day," states Hadjar, 11th on the grid. There will be plenty of learning. Constructors' Championship The focus isn't solely on the individual championship: The team have dominated the team championship but the team, with a forty-point advantage over their rivals, will be hoping to secure the runner-up position this weekend. George Russell can help them achieve that from second place, and Antonelli will begin immediately after the leader. Previous Results Piastri won that day – as he did last year, as well. The driver from McLaren is attempting a hat-trick. Short Race Importance Right, just over 20 minutes remaining until the sprint race gets under way. Barring disaster, it's greatest value is as an indication of future events, instead of highly important in its itself, with just eight championship points awarded to the winner. Mind you, the runner-up spot here was enough for the driver to become champion in a prior season. Max Verstappen claimed the championship after Pérez crashes out of the short race.