🔗 Share this article Qatar Short Race and Main Event Qualifying: Live Updates Introduction The author will be here shortly to take you through today's sprint race (2pm GMT) and qualifying (6pm). Real-Time Updates Formation Lap Time The warm-up lap has begun. Track Information There are 19 laps around the lengthiest track in F1, David Croft reminds us. Countdown The countdown has begun. Driver Situation An advantage in Verstappen's favour: his fellow driver Tsunoda is in front of him by a single position. It's improbable to interfere with the team's main man. Media Conversations Sky interviewing Sky now: the analyst is with Mercedes. The analyst is looking forward to the 2026 season, speaking with Adrian Newey about his stepping up to Aston Martin lead role. Grid Details Just 16 cars on the grid. It was another bad qualifying for Lewis Hamilton: following his result of 20th and last in Las Vegas, 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. The team have consequently made changes to his car configuration and so he begins from the starting area. The team's Stroll and the Alpine duo of Gasly and Franco Colapinto are all doing likewise. Driver Comments "We take the learning for the next day," says Isack Hadjar, starting eleventh. Expect plenty of learning. Constructors' Championship The focus isn't solely on the individual championship: The team have dominated the constructors' gong but the team, with a 40-point lead over their rivals, will be hoping to secure the runner-up position this weekend. George Russell can assist in this goal from the front row, and Kimi Antonelli will start just behind the leader. Previous Results Piastri was victorious then – as he managed last year, too. McLaren's Australian is attempting a third consecutive win. Sprint Race Value Right, approximately twenty minutes remaining till the sprint race gets under way. Barring disaster, it's greatest value is as a preview of future events, rather than highly important in its own right, with only eight points available to the winner. Mind you, second place here was enough for Verstappen to become champion two years ago. Max Verstappen wins the championship after Pérez crashes out of the short race.