🔗 Share this article Qatar Short Race and Grand Prix Grid Setting: Live Coverage Preamble The author will be here shortly to cover this day's short race (14:00 GMT) and qualifying (6pm). Real-Time Updates Warm-Up Lap Time The formation lap is underway. Track Information There are nineteen laps around the lengthiest track in Formula 1, David Croft points out. Countdown The final countdown is on. Driver Situation An advantage in Verstappen's advantage: his teammate Tsunoda is in front of him by a single position. He is unlikely to interfere with the team's lead driver. Interview Updates Sky's internal discussion now: the analyst is with Mercedes. The analyst is looking forward to the 2026 season, interviewing Adrian Newey about his stepping up to the team team principal. Starting Positions There are only sixteen vehicles on the grid. It was another poor grid-setting session for the driver: following his result of 20th and last in Las Vegas, resulting in an eighth position in the main race, he failed to make it out of Q1 once more on Friday. Ferrari have consequently made changes to his setup and so he begins from the starting area. Aston Martin's Lance Stroll and the Alpine pair of Pierre Gasly and Franco Colapinto are all starting from the same position. Driver Comments "We'll use the learning for tomorrow," says Hadjar, starting eleventh. There will be plenty of learning. Constructors' Championship It's not all about the individual championship: McLaren have run away with the team championship but the team, with a forty-point advantage over their rivals, are aiming to secure the runner-up position during this event. Russell can assist in this goal from second place, and Antonelli will begin immediately after the leader. Previous Results Piastri won that day – as he did last year, too. The driver from McLaren is going for a hat-trick. Sprint Race Value Alright, approximately 20 minutes to go until the short race begins. Unless something goes wrong, it's greatest value is as a preview of what is to come, rather than significant in its own right, with just eight championship points awarded to the victor. Mind you, the runner-up spot in this race was sufficient for Verstappen to become champion in a prior season. Max Verstappen wins F1 world title following Pérez crashes out of the short race.