🔗 Share this article Qatar's Short Race and Grand Prix Grid Setting: Live Updates Preamble The author is arriving soon to guide you through this day's short race (14:00 GMT) and grid-setting session (18:00 GMT). Real-Time Updates Starting Lap Time The formation lap has begun. Track Information There are 19 laps of the longest circuit in Formula 1, the commentator reminds us. Countdown The final countdown has begun. Driver Situation One point in Verstappen's favour: his fellow driver Yuki Tsunoda is in front of him by a single position. It's improbable to challenge the team's main man. Media Conversations Sky interviewing Sky now: the analyst is with Mercedes. The analyst is jumping ahead to the 2026 season, interviewing the engineer about his stepping up to the team team principal. Grid Details Just sixteen vehicles on the grid. It was another poor grid-setting session for the driver: following his result of twentieth and final in Las Vegas, resulting in an eighth-place finish in the main race, he did not manage to make it out of Q1 again on the previous day. The team have consequently adjusted to his setup and so he begins from the starting area. The team's Lance Stroll and the Alpine duo of Pierre Gasly and Colapinto are all doing likewise. Driver Comments "We take the learning for tomorrow," states Isack Hadjar, 11th on the grid. There will be plenty of learning. Team Standings The focus isn't solely on the drivers' title: The team have run away with the team championship but Mercedes, with a 40-point lead over their rivals, are aiming to seal second place during this event. George Russell can assist in this goal from the front row, and Kimi Antonelli will begin immediately after Verstappen. Past Performance Oscar Piastri won that day – as he managed the previous season, too. The driver from McLaren is going for a hat-trick. Sprint Race Value Right, just over 20 minutes remaining until the short race gets under way. Barring disaster, it's greatest value is as a preview of future events, rather than highly important in its itself, with only eight points available to the winner. Mind you, second place in this race was sufficient for the driver to claim the title two years ago. Max Verstappen wins F1 world title following his teammate's accident of the short race.