🔗 Share this article Qatar Short Race and Main Event Grid Setting: Live Coverage Preamble Our correspondent is about to begin to cover this day's short race (2pm GMT) and qualifying (6pm). Current Events Warm-Up Lap Time The warm-up lap has begun. Circuit Details We have nineteen laps around the lengthiest track in Formula One, David Croft points out. Countdown The final countdown has begun. Driver Situation An advantage in Max Verstappen's favour: his teammate Tsunoda is ahead of him by a single position. It's improbable to challenge the team's main man. Interview Updates Sky interviewing Sky now: Gary Neville is at the Mercedes team. Karun Chandhok is looking forward to 2026, speaking with Adrian Newey about his promotion to Aston Martin lead role. Starting Positions There are only 16 cars on the grid. This followed another bad qualifying for the driver: after coming 20th and last in the previous race, resulting in an eighth position in the main race, he did not manage to advance of the first qualifying segment once more on the previous day. The team have consequently made changes to his car configuration and so he begins from the pit lane. The team's Lance Stroll and the Alpine pair of Gasly and Franco Colapinto are all starting from the same position. Racer Statements "We'll use the experience for the next day," says Isack Hadjar, starting eleventh. There will be plenty of learning. Constructors' Championship It's not all about the drivers' title: The team have run away with the constructors' gong but Mercedes, with a 40-point lead over Red Bull, will be hoping to seal second place during this event. 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, as well. McLaren's Australian is attempting a hat-trick. Sprint Race Value Alright, approximately 20 minutes to go till the sprint race begins. Unless something goes wrong, it's greatest value is as a preview of future events, instead of significant in its itself, with only eight points awarded to the winner. Mind you, the runner-up spot in this race was enough for the driver to claim the title in a prior season. Max Verstappen wins the championship after Pérez crashes out of the short race.