🔗 Share this article Qatar Sprint Race and Grand Prix Qualifying: Live Coverage Preamble Our correspondent will be here shortly to guide you through today's short race (14:00 GMT) and qualifying (18:00 GMT). Live Feed Warm-Up Lap Period The starting lap has begun. Circuit Details There are nineteen laps around the lengthiest track in Formula 1, the commentator reminds us. Final Moments The final countdown has begun. Driver Situation One point in Max Verstappen's favour: his teammate Tsunoda is ahead of him by one place. It's improbable to interfere with Red Bull's lead driver. Interview Updates Sky's internal discussion currently: Gary Neville is with Mercedes. Karun Chandhok is jumping ahead to 2026, speaking with Adrian Newey about his promotion to the team lead role. Grid Details There are only sixteen vehicles on the grid. This followed another bad qualifying for Lewis Hamilton: after coming 20th and last in the previous race, leading to an eighth position in the grand prix, he did not manage to advance of the first qualifying segment once more on Friday. The team have consequently made changes to his car configuration and so he will start from the starting area. Aston Martin's Lance Stroll and the Alpine duo of Gasly and Colapinto are all starting from the same position. Racer Statements "We take the experience for the next day," states Isack Hadjar, 11th on the grid. There will be a lot of that. Team Standings It's not all about the individual championship: The team have run away with the team championship but Mercedes, with a 40-point lead over Red Bull, are aiming to seal second place this weekend. George Russell can help them achieve that from second place, and Antonelli will begin immediately after the leader. Past Performance Oscar Piastri was victorious then – as he did the previous season, as well. McLaren's Australian is attempting a hat-trick. Short Race Importance Alright, approximately twenty minutes remaining till the sprint race gets under way. Unless something goes wrong, its main importance is as a preview of what is to come, instead of highly important in its itself, with just eight championship points available to the victor. Mind you, the runner-up spot here was enough for Verstappen to become champion two years ago. The driver claimed the championship following Pérez crashes out of Qatar GP sprint race.