🔗 Share this article Qatar Short Race and Grand Prix Grid Setting: Real-Time Coverage Preamble The author will be here shortly to cover this day's sprint race (14:00 GMT) and qualifying (18:00 GMT). Current Events Warm-Up Lap Period The warm-up lap has started. Circuit Details We have nineteen laps of the longest circuit in Formula One, David Croft informs us. Final Moments The last moments is underway. Driver Situation An advantage in Verstappen's advantage: his teammate Yuki Tsunoda is ahead of him by one place. It's improbable to interfere with Red Bull's main man. Interview Updates Sky interviewing Sky currently: Gary Neville is with Mercedes. The analyst is jumping ahead to 2026, interviewing the engineer about his promotion to Aston Martin team principal. Grid Details Just 16 cars on the grid. This followed another poor grid-setting session for the driver: following his result of twentieth and final in Las Vegas, resulting in an eighth position in the main race, he did not manage to make it out of Q1 once more on Friday. Ferrari have consequently adjusted to his car configuration and so he begins from the pit lane. Aston Martin's Stroll and the Alpine duo of Gasly and Colapinto are all starting from the same position. Driver Comments "We'll use the learning for the next day," says Hadjar, 11th on the grid. There will be plenty of learning. Constructors' Championship The focus isn't solely on the individual championship: McLaren have run away with the team championship but Mercedes, with a 40-point lead over their rivals, will be hoping to secure the runner-up position during this event. George Russell can assist in this goal from the front row, and Antonelli will begin immediately after the leader. Previous Results Oscar Piastri won that day – as he did last year, as well. The driver from McLaren is attempting a hat-trick. Short Race Importance Alright, just over twenty minutes remaining till the short race gets under way. Unless something goes wrong, it's greatest value is as an indication of future events, rather than highly important in its itself, with only eight points available to the victor. Mind you, the runner-up spot here was enough for Verstappen to become champion two years ago. The driver wins F1 world title following Pérez crashes out of Qatar GP sprint race.