đŸ”— Share this article Qatar's Short Race and Main Event Qualifying: Real-Time Updates Introduction Philip is arriving soon to cover this day's sprint race (14:00 GMT) and qualifying (6pm). Live Feed Starting Lap Period The formation lap is underway. Track Information There are nineteen laps of the longest circuit in Formula 1, the commentator points out. Final Moments The countdown has begun. Driver Situation An advantage in Max Verstappen's favour: his fellow driver Yuki Tsunoda is in front of him by a single position. It's improbable to mess with the team's main man. Interview Updates Sky interviewing Sky currently: Gary Neville is with Mercedes. Karun Chandhok is jumping ahead to the 2026 season, speaking with the engineer about his promotion to Aston Martin team principal. Grid Details Just 16 cars on the grid. It was another bad qualifying for the driver: following his result of twentieth and final in Las Vegas, leading to an eighth position in the main race, he did not manage to advance of the first qualifying segment once more on the previous day. The team have as a result adjusted to his car configuration and so he begins from the starting area. The team's Stroll and the Alpine pair of Pierre Gasly and Colapinto are all doing likewise. Driver Comments "We'll use the experience for tomorrow," says Isack Hadjar, 11th on the grid. There will be a lot of that. Constructors' Championship The focus isn't solely on the drivers' title: McLaren have dominated the constructors' gong but Mercedes, with a 40-point lead over their rivals, are aiming to seal second place this weekend. George Russell can assist in this goal from the front row, and Kimi Antonelli will begin immediately after Verstappen. 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 twenty minutes to go till the sprint race gets under way. Barring disaster, its main importance is as an indication of future events, rather than highly important in its own right, with only eight points awarded to the winner. Mind you, the runner-up spot here was sufficient for the driver to become champion in a prior season. Max Verstappen claimed the championship after his teammate's accident of the short race.