🔗 Share this article Qatar's Short Race and Grand Prix Grid Setting: Live Coverage Introduction Our correspondent will be here shortly to cover today's short race (14:00 GMT) and qualifying (6pm). Live Feed Warm-Up Lap Time The starting lap is underway. Track Information We have nineteen laps of the longest circuit in Formula 1, David Croft informs us. Countdown The last moments is underway. Driver Situation One point in Verstappen's advantage: his fellow driver Yuki Tsunoda is in front of him by a single position. He is unlikely to mess with Red Bull's lead driver. Interview Updates Sky speaking with Sky currently: Gary Neville is with Mercedes. Karun Chandhok is jumping ahead to 2026, interviewing the engineer about his promotion to Aston Martin lead role. Grid Details There are only sixteen vehicles on the grid. It was another poor grid-setting session for Lewis Hamilton: following his result of 20th and last in the previous race, leading to an eighth position in the grand prix, he failed to advance of Q1 once more on Friday. The team have consequently made changes to his car configuration and so he begins from the starting area. Aston Martin's Lance Stroll and the Alpine pair of Gasly and Franco Colapinto are all starting from the same position. Driver Comments "We'll use the learning for the next day," says Hadjar, starting eleventh. There will be plenty of learning. Team Standings The focus isn't solely on the drivers' title: The team have dominated the constructors' gong but Mercedes, with a forty-point advantage over Red Bull, are aiming to seal second place during this event. George Russell can assist in this goal from second place, and Antonelli will begin immediately after the leader. Previous Results Oscar Piastri was victorious then – as he managed the previous season, as well. The driver from McLaren is attempting a third consecutive win. Short Race Importance Right, approximately 20 minutes to go until the short race gets under way. Barring disaster, its main importance is as an indication of what is to come, instead of significant in its own right, with just eight championship points awarded to the victor. Mind you, second place here was sufficient for Verstappen to claim the title in a prior season. Max Verstappen claimed F1 world title after Pérez crashes out of the short race.