🔗 Share this article Qatar's Short Race and Grand Prix Qualifying: Live Updates Preamble Philip will be here shortly to take you through today's short race (2pm GMT) and grid-setting session (6pm). Live Feed Formation Lap Period The warm-up lap has begun. Circuit Details We have nineteen laps of the longest circuit in F1, the commentator points out. Final Moments The final countdown has begun. Driver Situation One point in Verstappen's advantage: his fellow driver Yuki Tsunoda is in front of him by a single position. It's improbable to interfere with the team's lead driver. Media Conversations Sky's internal discussion currently: the analyst is at the Mercedes team. The analyst is jumping ahead to the 2026 season, interviewing Adrian Newey about his promotion to the team lead role. Starting Positions There are only sixteen vehicles on the grid. This followed another poor grid-setting session for the driver: following his result of 20th and last in Las Vegas, resulting in an eighth-place finish in the grand prix, he did not manage to advance of the first qualifying segment once more on the previous day. Ferrari have consequently adjusted to his setup and so he will start from the starting area. The team's Stroll and the Alpine pair of Gasly and Franco Colapinto are all doing likewise. Racer Statements "We'll use the experience for the next day," says Hadjar, starting eleventh. There will be plenty of learning. Constructors' Championship The focus isn't solely on the individual championship: The team have run away with the team championship but Mercedes, with a forty-point advantage over their rivals, will be hoping to seal second place this weekend. George Russell can assist in this goal from second place, and Kimi Antonelli will begin immediately after the leader. Previous Results Piastri was victorious then – as he managed the previous season, as well. McLaren's Australian is going for a third consecutive win. Short Race Importance Right, approximately twenty minutes to go till the sprint race gets under way. Barring disaster, it's greatest value is as a preview of future events, rather than significant in its own right, with just eight championship points awarded to the winner. Mind you, the runner-up spot here was enough for the driver to become champion two years ago. The driver claimed the championship after his teammate's accident of the short race.