🔗 Share this article Qatar Short Race and Main Event Grid Setting: Live Coverage Introduction Our correspondent is arriving soon to cover this day's short race (14:00 GMT) and grid-setting session (6pm). Live Feed Warm-Up Lap Period The warm-up lap has started. Circuit Details We have nineteen laps around the lengthiest track in Formula One, David Croft points out. Final Moments The countdown is on. Racer Positions One point in Max Verstappen's advantage: his fellow driver Tsunoda is in front of him by a single position. It's improbable to mess with Red Bull's lead driver. Interview Updates Sky's internal discussion currently: the analyst is with Mercedes. Karun Chandhok is jumping ahead to 2026, speaking with Adrian Newey about his stepping up to the team team principal. Starting Positions 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, leading to an eighth position in the main race, he did not manage to make it out of Q1 again on the previous day. Ferrari have as a result made changes to his setup and so he will start from the pit lane. The team's Stroll and the Alpine pair of Pierre Gasly and Colapinto are all starting from the same position. Racer Statements "We take the experience for tomorrow," says Isack Hadjar, 11th on the grid. Expect plenty of learning. Constructors' Championship It's not all about the individual championship: McLaren have dominated the team championship but the team, with a forty-point advantage over their rivals, are aiming to seal second place during this event. George Russell can help them achieve that from second place, and Kimi Antonelli will start just behind the leader. Past Performance Oscar Piastri won that day – as he did the previous season, as well. McLaren's Australian is going for a hat-trick. Sprint Race Value Alright, just over 20 minutes to go until the sprint race begins. Barring disaster, it's greatest value is as an indication of future events, rather than significant in its own right, with only eight points available to the winner. However, the runner-up spot here was sufficient for Verstappen to claim the title two years ago. Max Verstappen wins the championship following Pérez crashes out of Qatar GP sprint race.