🔗 Share this article Qatar's Short Race and Grand Prix Grid Setting: Real-Time Updates Introduction Our correspondent will be here shortly to cover today's short race (14:00 GMT) and grid-setting session (18:00 GMT). Current Events Warm-Up Lap Period The starting lap has begun. Circuit Details There are 19 laps around the lengthiest track in Formula 1, David Croft reminds us. Countdown The countdown is underway. Racer Positions One point in Verstappen's favour: his fellow driver Tsunoda is in front of him by one place. It's improbable to interfere with Red Bull's lead driver. Media Conversations Sky interviewing Sky currently: the analyst is at the Mercedes team. The analyst is looking forward to 2026, speaking with Adrian Newey about his promotion to Aston Martin lead role. Grid Details Just sixteen vehicles on the grid. This followed another bad qualifying for the driver: after coming 20th and last in Las Vegas, resulting in an eighth-place finish in the main race, he failed to make it out of the first qualifying segment once more on the previous day. The team have consequently made changes to his car configuration and so he begins from the pit lane. The team's Lance Stroll and the Alpine pair of Pierre Gasly and Franco Colapinto are all starting from the same position. Racer Statements "We'll use the experience for tomorrow," says Isack Hadjar, 11th on the grid. There will be a lot of that. Team Standings It's not all about the drivers' title: McLaren have dominated the team championship but Mercedes, with a forty-point advantage over Red Bull, will be hoping to seal second place during this event. George Russell can help them achieve that from the front row, and Kimi Antonelli will begin immediately after Verstappen. Past Performance Oscar Piastri won that day – as he did last year, as well. The driver from McLaren is going for a hat-trick. Short Race Importance Alright, just over 20 minutes to go till the short race begins. Unless something goes wrong, it's greatest value is as an indication of what is to come, rather than highly important in its itself, with just eight championship points available to the victor. Mind you, the runner-up spot in this race was enough for Verstappen to become champion two years ago. The driver wins F1 world title following his teammate's accident of Qatar GP sprint race.