🔗 Share this article Qatar Short Race and Main Event Qualifying: Live Coverage Introduction The author is about to begin to guide you through this day's sprint race (14:00 GMT) and qualifying (6pm). Live Feed Starting Lap Period The starting lap has started. Track Information We have nineteen laps of the longest circuit in Formula 1, the commentator reminds us. Final Moments The final countdown is underway. Driver Situation An advantage in Verstappen's advantage: his teammate Tsunoda is in front of him by one place. He is unlikely to interfere with the team's lead driver. Interview Updates Sky's internal discussion now: the analyst is at the Mercedes team. Karun Chandhok is jumping ahead to the 2026 season, speaking with Adrian Newey about his promotion to Aston Martin team principal. Starting Positions Just sixteen vehicles on the grid. It was another bad qualifying for Lewis Hamilton: after coming 20th and last in Las Vegas, leading to an eighth-place finish in the main race, he failed to advance of Q1 once more on Friday. Ferrari have consequently made changes to his car configuration and so he will start from the pit lane. 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 tomorrow," states Hadjar, 11th on the grid. There will be a lot of that. Constructors' Championship The focus isn't solely on the individual championship: McLaren have run away with the constructors' gong but Mercedes, with a forty-point advantage over their rivals, will be hoping to seal second place this weekend. Russell can assist in this goal from the front row, and Kimi Antonelli will begin immediately after Verstappen. Previous Results Oscar Piastri was victorious then – as he did the previous season, too. The driver from McLaren is attempting a third consecutive win. Short Race Importance Alright, just over 20 minutes remaining until the short race gets under way. Barring disaster, its main importance is as an indication of future events, instead of significant in its own right, with only eight points awarded to the victor. However, the runner-up spot here was enough for Verstappen to claim the title in a prior season. Max Verstappen claimed F1 world title following his teammate's accident of Qatar GP sprint race.