🔗 Share this article Qatar's Short Race and Grand Prix Grid Setting: Live Coverage Opening Notes The author will be here shortly to take you through this day's short race (14:00 GMT) and grid-setting session (6pm). Real-Time Updates Starting Lap Period The warm-up lap has begun. Circuit Details We have 19 laps of the longest circuit in Formula One, the commentator reminds us. Countdown The last moments is underway. Racer Positions An advantage in Verstappen's advantage: his teammate Tsunoda is ahead of him by a single position. It's improbable to challenge the team's main man. Media Conversations Sky speaking with Sky currently: Gary Neville is with Mercedes. Karun Chandhok is jumping ahead to the 2026 season, speaking with Adrian Newey about his stepping up to Aston Martin lead role. Starting Positions Just sixteen vehicles on the grid. It was another bad qualifying for Lewis Hamilton: following his result of 20th and last in the previous race, resulting in an eighth-place finish in the grand prix, he did not manage to make it out of the first qualifying segment once more on the previous day. Ferrari have consequently made changes to his setup and so he begins from the pit lane. Aston Martin's Stroll and the Alpine pair of Gasly and Colapinto are all starting from the same position. Racer Statements "We take the experience for the next day," states Isack Hadjar, 11th on the grid. Expect plenty of learning. Constructors' Championship It's not all about the individual championship: McLaren have dominated the constructors' gong but the team, with a 40-point lead over their rivals, are aiming to secure the runner-up position during this event. Russell can help them achieve that from second place, and Antonelli will begin immediately after the leader. Previous Results Oscar Piastri won that day – as he did the previous season, too. McLaren's Australian is attempting a third consecutive win. Sprint Race Value Right, approximately 20 minutes to go until the sprint race begins. Barring disaster, its main importance is as an indication of future events, rather than highly important in its itself, with just eight championship points available to the victor. Mind you, the runner-up spot here was sufficient for Verstappen to become champion two years ago. The driver claimed F1 world title after his teammate's accident of Qatar GP sprint race.