🔗 Share this article Qatar's Short Race and Main Event Qualifying: Live Coverage Preamble Philip is about to begin to cover this day's sprint race (14:00 GMT) and qualifying (6pm). Current Events Starting Lap Time The starting lap is underway. Circuit Details There are 19 laps around the lengthiest track in Formula 1, David Croft reminds us. Final Moments The countdown is on. Racer Positions One point in Verstappen's advantage: his fellow driver Yuki Tsunoda is in front of him by one place. It's improbable to mess with Red Bull's main man. Interview Updates Sky interviewing Sky currently: the analyst is with Mercedes. The analyst is looking forward to the 2026 season, interviewing Adrian Newey about his stepping up to the team lead role. Starting Positions Just 16 cars on the grid. This followed another bad qualifying for the driver: after coming 20th and last in Las Vegas, leading to an eighth-place finish in the grand prix, he did not manage to advance of Q1 again on the previous day. Ferrari have consequently adjusted to his setup and so he will start from the pit lane. Aston Martin's Lance Stroll and the Alpine duo of Gasly and Colapinto are all starting from the same position. Driver Comments "We take the experience for tomorrow," states Hadjar, starting eleventh. Expect plenty of learning. Constructors' Championship It's not all about the drivers' title: McLaren have run away with the constructors' gong but the team, with a 40-point lead over Red Bull, will be hoping to secure the runner-up position during this event. Russell can help them achieve that from second place, and Kimi Antonelli will start just behind the leader. Past Performance Oscar Piastri was victorious then – as he did the previous season, as well. The driver from McLaren is attempting a hat-trick. Short Race Importance Alright, approximately 20 minutes to go until the sprint race begins. Barring disaster, its main importance is as a preview of future events, instead of significant in its own right, with only eight points available to the victor. However, the runner-up spot here was sufficient for Verstappen to become champion two years ago. The driver wins the championship following his teammate's accident of Qatar GP sprint race.