🔗 Share this article Qatar Short Race and Main Event Grid Setting: Real-Time Coverage Opening Notes Philip is arriving soon to take you through today's short race (2pm GMT) and grid-setting session (18:00 GMT). Live Feed Formation Lap Period The warm-up lap is underway. Track Information There are 19 laps around the lengthiest track in Formula One, David Croft points out. Countdown The final countdown is underway. Driver Situation One point in Verstappen's advantage: his teammate Tsunoda is ahead of him by a single position. He is unlikely to challenge Red Bull's lead driver. Interview Updates Sky's internal discussion currently: the analyst is at the Mercedes team. Karun Chandhok is jumping ahead to 2026, interviewing the engineer about his stepping up to the team lead role. 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, leading to an eighth-place finish in the grand prix, he failed to make it out of Q1 once more on the previous day. Ferrari have as a result made changes to his setup and so he begins from the pit lane. Aston Martin's Lance Stroll and the Alpine duo of Pierre Gasly and Colapinto are all doing likewise. Racer Statements "We'll use the experience for the next day," states Isack Hadjar, starting eleventh. There will be plenty of learning. Constructors' Championship It's not all about the drivers' title: The team have run away with the team championship 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 Kimi Antonelli will start just behind the leader. Previous Results Oscar Piastri won that day – as he managed last year, as well. McLaren's Australian is going for a third consecutive win. Short Race Importance Alright, approximately 20 minutes to go till the sprint race begins. Barring disaster, it's greatest value is as a preview of future events, instead of highly important in its itself, with only eight points awarded to the victor. Mind you, the runner-up spot in this race was sufficient for the driver to claim the title in a prior season. Max Verstappen claimed F1 world title after Pérez crashes out of Qatar GP sprint race.