🔗 Share this article Qatar's Short Race and Main Event Grid Setting: Live Updates Introduction The author is arriving soon to guide you through this day's short race (2pm GMT) and grid-setting session (6pm). Current Events Formation Lap Time The formation lap has begun. Circuit Details There are 19 laps around the lengthiest track in F1, the commentator points out. Final Moments The final countdown is on. Racer Positions An advantage in Verstappen's favour: his teammate Yuki Tsunoda is in front of him by a single position. He is unlikely to challenge Red Bull's lead driver. Media Conversations Sky's internal discussion now: the analyst is with Mercedes. The analyst is looking forward to the 2026 season, speaking with Adrian Newey about his stepping up to Aston Martin team principal. Grid Details There are only 16 cars on the grid. It was another bad qualifying for Lewis Hamilton: following his result of twentieth and final in the previous race, leading to an eighth-place finish in the main race, he failed to advance of the first qualifying segment again on the previous day. Ferrari have as a result adjusted to his setup and so he begins from the starting area. The team's Lance Stroll and the Alpine pair of Pierre Gasly and Franco Colapinto are all doing likewise. Driver Comments "We'll use the experience for the next day," states Hadjar, 11th on the grid. Expect a lot of that. Constructors' Championship The focus isn't solely on the individual championship: The team 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 help them achieve that from the front row, and Antonelli will begin immediately after Verstappen. Past Performance Piastri won that day – as he managed last year, as well. McLaren's Australian is going for a hat-trick. Short Race Importance Alright, approximately 20 minutes remaining till the sprint race gets under way. Barring disaster, its main importance is as a preview of future events, rather than significant in its own right, with only eight points available to the victor. Mind you, the runner-up spot in this race was enough for Verstappen to become champion two years ago. The driver claimed the championship following his teammate's accident of the short race.