🔗 Share this article Qatar Sprint Race and Main Event Grid Setting: Real-Time Updates Opening Notes Our correspondent will be here shortly to take you through this day's sprint race (14:00 GMT) and grid-setting session (6pm). Live Feed Starting Lap Period The warm-up lap is underway. Track Information We have 19 laps of the longest circuit in Formula One, David Croft informs us. Final Moments The final countdown is underway. Racer Positions An advantage in Verstappen's advantage: his fellow driver Tsunoda is in front of him by a single position. He is unlikely to challenge Red Bull's main man. Media Conversations Sky's internal discussion now: the analyst is with Mercedes. Karun Chandhok is jumping ahead to 2026, interviewing Adrian Newey about his stepping up to Aston Martin lead role. Grid Details There are only sixteen vehicles on the grid. It was another poor grid-setting session for Lewis Hamilton: after coming 20th and last in the previous race, resulting in an eighth-place finish in the main race, he did not manage to make it out of the first qualifying segment again on the previous day. Ferrari have as a result made changes to his setup and so he will start from the starting area. The team's Lance Stroll and the Alpine pair of Pierre Gasly and Franco Colapinto are all doing likewise. Racer Statements "We take the experience for tomorrow," says Hadjar, 11th on the grid. There will be plenty of learning. Constructors' Championship The focus isn't solely on the individual championship: McLaren have dominated the constructors' gong but Mercedes, with a 40-point lead over their rivals, will be hoping to seal second place during this event. Russell can assist in this goal from second place, and Antonelli will start just behind Verstappen. Previous Results Piastri won that day – as he managed last year, too. McLaren's Australian is attempting a hat-trick. Sprint Race Value Alright, just over twenty minutes remaining until the short race begins. Barring disaster, it's greatest value is as a preview of future events, instead of significant in its own right, with only eight points awarded to the winner. However, the runner-up spot in this race was sufficient for the driver to become champion two years ago. Max Verstappen wins the championship after Pérez crashes out of Qatar GP sprint race.