🔗 Share this article Qatar's Short Race and Main Event Grid Setting: Live Updates Introduction The author is arriving soon to guide you through this day's short race (2pm GMT) and qualifying (18:00 GMT). Real-Time Updates Warm-Up Lap Period The formation lap has begun. Circuit Details We have 19 laps of the longest circuit in F1, David Croft informs us. Final Moments The final countdown is underway. Racer Positions An advantage in Verstappen's advantage: his fellow driver Yuki Tsunoda is in front of him by a single position. It's improbable to challenge Red Bull's main man. Interview Updates Sky speaking with Sky now: Gary Neville is at the Mercedes team. Karun Chandhok is jumping ahead to the 2026 season, interviewing Adrian Newey about his stepping up to the team team principal. Grid Details Just sixteen vehicles on the grid. This followed another bad qualifying for the driver: after coming twentieth and final in Las Vegas, leading to an eighth position in the grand prix, he did not manage to make it out of the first qualifying segment once more on Friday. Ferrari have as a result adjusted to his setup and so he will start from the pit lane. The team's Lance Stroll and the Alpine duo of Pierre Gasly and Colapinto are all starting from the same position. Racer Statements "We'll use the learning for the next day," states Hadjar, 11th on the grid. Expect plenty of learning. Team Standings It's not all about the individual championship: The team have dominated the team championship but Mercedes, with a 40-point lead over their rivals, will be hoping to seal second place during this event. George Russell can assist in this goal from second place, and Antonelli will begin immediately after Verstappen. Previous Results Oscar Piastri was victorious then – as he did the previous season, as well. The driver from McLaren is attempting a hat-trick. Sprint Race Value Right, approximately twenty minutes remaining until the short race begins. Barring disaster, its main importance is as a preview of what is to come, rather than highly important in its itself, with only eight points available to the victor. However, second place here was sufficient for Verstappen to become champion two years ago. The driver claimed F1 world title following his teammate's accident of the short race.