🔗 Share this article Qatar's Short Race and Grand Prix Grid Setting: Real-Time Coverage Preamble The author will be here shortly to cover this day's sprint race (2pm GMT) and grid-setting session (6pm). Current Events Starting Lap Time The warm-up lap has started. Circuit Details We have 19 laps around the lengthiest track in Formula 1, the commentator informs us. Final Moments The countdown has begun. Driver Situation One point in Verstappen's favour: his teammate Yuki Tsunoda is in front of him by one place. It's improbable to challenge the team's main man. Interview Updates Sky interviewing Sky now: the analyst is at the Mercedes team. Karun Chandhok is looking forward to 2026, interviewing the engineer about his stepping up to the team lead role. Starting Positions Just sixteen vehicles on the grid. This followed 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 main race, he failed to advance of Q1 again on Friday. Ferrari have consequently adjusted to his car configuration and so he begins from the starting area. The team's Lance Stroll and the Alpine pair of Gasly and Colapinto are all doing likewise. Racer Statements "We take the learning for the next day," says Isack Hadjar, 11th on the grid. There will be a lot of that. 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, are aiming to seal second place during this event. George Russell can help them achieve that from second place, and Kimi Antonelli will start just behind the leader. Previous Results Oscar Piastri won that day – as he did the previous season, too. McLaren's Australian is attempting a hat-trick. Sprint Race Value Alright, just over 20 minutes remaining until the short race gets under way. Unless something goes wrong, its main importance is as an indication of what is to come, rather than significant in its itself, with only eight points awarded to the winner. Mind you, the runner-up spot here was sufficient for Verstappen to claim the title in a prior season. The driver wins F1 world title following his teammate's accident of Qatar GP sprint race.