🔗 Share this article Qatar's Sprint Race and Main Event Grid Setting: Live Updates Preamble Our correspondent will be here shortly to cover today's sprint race (2pm GMT) and grid-setting session (18:00 GMT). Live Feed Formation Lap Time The formation lap has begun. Track Information We have 19 laps of the longest circuit in F1, the commentator reminds us. Final Moments The final countdown is on. Driver Situation One point in Verstappen's favour: his teammate Tsunoda is in front of him by a single position. It's improbable to interfere with the team's main man. Media Conversations Sky's internal discussion now: Gary Neville is at the Mercedes team. The analyst is looking forward to 2026, speaking with the engineer about his stepping up to Aston Martin lead role. Starting Positions Just 16 cars on the grid. It was another bad qualifying for Lewis Hamilton: after coming 20th and last in the previous race, leading to an eighth position in the main race, he failed to make it out of the first qualifying segment again on the previous day. The team have as a result adjusted to his setup and so he begins from the pit lane. Aston Martin's Stroll and the Alpine duo of Pierre Gasly and Franco Colapinto are all starting from the same position. Driver Comments "We'll use the experience for the next day," states Hadjar, 11th on the grid. Expect a lot of that. Team Standings It's not all about the drivers' title: McLaren have run away with the team championship but the team, with a 40-point lead over their rivals, are aiming to secure the runner-up position during this event. George Russell can help them achieve that from second place, and Kimi Antonelli will start just behind Verstappen. Past Performance Oscar Piastri was victorious then – as he did last year, as well. The driver from McLaren is going for a hat-trick. Sprint Race Value Alright, just over 20 minutes remaining till the sprint race begins. Barring disaster, its main importance is as an indication of what is to come, instead of significant in its itself, with only eight points awarded to the victor. Mind you, the runner-up spot here was sufficient for Verstappen to claim the title two years ago. The driver claimed F1 world title following his teammate's accident of Qatar GP sprint race.