🔗 Share this article Qatar's Short Race and Main Event Qualifying: Live Coverage Preamble Philip is arriving soon to cover this day's sprint race (2pm GMT) and grid-setting session (6pm). Current Events Formation Lap Period The starting lap is underway. Circuit Details We have 19 laps of the longest circuit in Formula One, the commentator points out. Countdown The last moments is on. Racer Positions An advantage in Verstappen's advantage: his fellow driver Yuki Tsunoda is ahead of him by a single position. He is unlikely to challenge the team's main man. Media Conversations Sky speaking with Sky currently: Gary Neville is with Mercedes. Karun Chandhok is looking forward to 2026, speaking with the engineer about his promotion to Aston Martin team principal. Grid Details Just sixteen vehicles on the grid. It was another poor grid-setting session for Lewis Hamilton: following his result of 20th and last in the previous race, resulting in an eighth position in the grand prix, he did not manage to make it out of Q1 once more on Friday. The team have consequently adjusted to his car configuration and so he begins from the pit lane. The team's Stroll and the Alpine duo of Gasly and Franco Colapinto are all doing likewise. Driver Comments "We take the experience for tomorrow," says Hadjar, 11th on the grid. There will be a lot of that. Team Standings It's not all about the drivers' title: The team have run away with the team championship but the team, with a 40-point lead over their rivals, are aiming to secure the runner-up position this weekend. Russell can assist in this goal from the front row, and Kimi Antonelli will begin immediately after the leader. Previous Results Oscar Piastri won that day – as he managed last year, as well. The driver from McLaren is attempting a third consecutive win. Sprint Race Value Right, just over twenty minutes remaining till the sprint race gets under way. Barring disaster, its main importance is as an indication of future events, instead of significant in its itself, with just eight championship points awarded to the victor. However, second place here was sufficient for Verstappen to become champion in a prior season. The driver wins the championship following Pérez crashes out of the short race.