🔗 Share this article Qatar Short Race and Grand Prix Grid Setting: Real-Time Updates Opening Notes The author is arriving soon to take you through today's short race (14:00 GMT) and qualifying (18:00 GMT). Real-Time Updates Formation Lap Period The formation lap has begun. Track Information There are nineteen laps of the longest circuit in F1, David Croft reminds us. Final Moments The countdown is underway. Driver Situation One point in Max Verstappen's advantage: his teammate Tsunoda is ahead of him by one place. He is unlikely to interfere with Red Bull's lead driver. Interview Updates Sky's internal discussion currently: the analyst is at the Mercedes team. Karun Chandhok is looking forward to 2026, speaking with Adrian Newey about his stepping up to Aston Martin team principal. Grid Details There are only 16 cars on the grid. This followed another poor grid-setting session for the driver: after coming twentieth and final in the previous race, leading to an eighth position in the grand prix, he did not manage to advance of the first qualifying segment once more on the previous day. The team have consequently adjusted to his car configuration and so he begins from the pit lane. The team's Stroll and the Alpine pair of Pierre Gasly and Colapinto are all starting from the same position. Driver Comments "We take the learning for the next day," states Isack Hadjar, 11th on the grid. Expect a lot of that. Team Standings 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 Red Bull, will be hoping to secure the runner-up position this weekend. George Russell can help them achieve that from second place, and Kimi Antonelli will begin immediately after the leader. Past Performance Oscar Piastri was victorious then – as he managed last year, as well. The driver from McLaren is going for a hat-trick. Sprint Race Value Right, just over twenty minutes to go until the sprint race gets under way. Barring disaster, its main importance is as an indication of what is to come, rather than highly important in its own right, with only eight points available to the winner. Mind you, the runner-up spot here was sufficient for the driver to become champion two years ago. Max Verstappen claimed the championship after his teammate's accident of Qatar GP sprint race.