🔗 Share this article Qatar Short Race and Main Event Grid Setting: Live Coverage Preamble The author is arriving soon to take you through this day's sprint race (2pm GMT) and grid-setting session (6pm). Real-Time Updates Formation Lap Period The formation lap is underway. Circuit Details We have nineteen laps around the lengthiest track in F1, the commentator points out. Final Moments The final countdown is underway. Driver Situation One point in Max Verstappen's advantage: his teammate Tsunoda is in front of him by one place. He is unlikely to interfere with Red Bull's lead driver. Media Conversations Sky speaking with Sky now: Gary Neville is with Mercedes. Karun Chandhok is looking forward to the 2026 season, interviewing Adrian Newey about his promotion to the team team principal. Grid Details There are only 16 cars on the grid. It was another bad qualifying for the driver: following his result of twentieth and final in Las Vegas, resulting in an eighth-place finish in the grand prix, he failed to make it out of Q1 again on Friday. Ferrari have consequently adjusted to his car configuration and so he begins from the starting area. Aston Martin's Stroll and the Alpine duo of Pierre Gasly and Colapinto are all starting from the same position. Racer Statements "We take the learning for the next day," states Isack Hadjar, starting eleventh. There will be a lot of that. Constructors' Championship It's not all about the individual championship: The team have run away with the constructors' gong 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 the leader. Past Performance Piastri was victorious then – as he managed the previous season, too. The driver from McLaren is attempting a hat-trick. Short Race Importance Right, approximately twenty minutes to go till the sprint race gets under way. Unless something goes wrong, its main importance is as a preview of future events, instead of highly important in its itself, with only eight points available to the victor. However, the runner-up spot here was sufficient for Verstappen to claim the title two years ago. The driver wins F1 world title after his teammate's accident of Qatar GP sprint race.