🔗 Share this article Qatar Short Race and Grand Prix Qualifying: Live Updates Introduction Philip is about to begin to take you through today's sprint race (2pm GMT) and qualifying (18:00 GMT). Current Events Starting Lap Time The starting lap has started. Circuit Details We have 19 laps around the lengthiest track in Formula One, the commentator reminds us. Countdown The countdown is on. Driver Situation An advantage in Verstappen's advantage: his fellow driver Tsunoda is ahead of him by a single position. It's improbable to challenge Red Bull's main man. Interview Updates Sky speaking with Sky now: Gary Neville is with Mercedes. Karun Chandhok is looking forward to the 2026 season, speaking with the engineer about his stepping up to the team team principal. Starting Positions Just 16 cars on the grid. It was 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 grand prix, he did not manage to make it out of Q1 again on the previous day. Ferrari have as a result adjusted to his car configuration and so he will start from the pit lane. The team's Lance Stroll and the Alpine pair of Gasly and Colapinto are all starting from the same position. Racer Statements "We'll use the experience for the next day," says Isack 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 40-point lead over their rivals, will be hoping to secure the runner-up position this weekend. Russell can help them achieve that from second place, and Antonelli will start just behind Verstappen. Past Performance Piastri won that day – as he did last year, as well. McLaren's Australian is attempting a hat-trick. Short Race Importance Alright, approximately twenty minutes to go till the short race gets under way. Barring disaster, its main importance is as a preview of future events, instead of significant in its itself, with just eight championship points available to the winner. Mind you, the runner-up spot in this race was sufficient for Verstappen to claim the title two years ago. The driver wins the championship after Pérez crashes out of Qatar GP sprint race.