🔗 Share this article Qatar's Sprint Race and Main Event Grid Setting: Real-Time Coverage Preamble Our correspondent is about to begin to cover today's sprint race (2pm GMT) and grid-setting session (6pm). Real-Time Updates Warm-Up Lap Period The starting lap has begun. Circuit Details We have 19 laps around the lengthiest track in Formula One, David Croft reminds us. Final Moments The last moments is on. Racer Positions One point in Verstappen's favour: his teammate Tsunoda is ahead of him by a single position. He is unlikely to interfere with Red Bull's main man. Media Conversations Sky speaking with Sky currently: the analyst is with Mercedes. The analyst is looking forward to 2026, speaking with the engineer about his promotion to the team team principal. Grid Details There are only 16 cars on the grid. It was another poor grid-setting session for the driver: following his result of 20th and last in the previous race, resulting in an eighth position in the main race, he did not manage to advance of the first qualifying segment again on the previous day. The team have as a result made changes to his car configuration and so he begins from the starting area. Aston Martin's Stroll and the Alpine pair of Pierre Gasly and Franco Colapinto are all doing likewise. Racer Statements "We'll use the experience for tomorrow," states Isack Hadjar, 11th on the grid. Expect plenty of learning. Constructors' Championship The focus isn't solely on the individual championship: McLaren 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 Kimi Antonelli will start just behind Verstappen. Previous Results Oscar Piastri won that day – as he did last year, too. McLaren's Australian is attempting a third consecutive win. Short Race Importance Alright, approximately 20 minutes remaining till the short race begins. Unless something goes wrong, it's greatest value is as a preview of what is to come, instead of highly important in its own right, with only eight points awarded to the winner. Mind you, second place in this race was enough for Verstappen to claim the title in a prior season. The driver wins the championship after his teammate's accident of the short race.