🔗 Share this article Qatar Short Race and Grand Prix Qualifying: Live Updates Opening Notes The author is about to begin to take you through this day's short race (14:00 GMT) and grid-setting session (6pm). Current Events Formation Lap Period The starting lap has begun. Track Information There are nineteen laps around the lengthiest track in Formula One, David Croft reminds us. Countdown The last moments is underway. Racer Positions One point in Max Verstappen's advantage: his fellow driver Tsunoda is in front of him by one place. He is unlikely to mess with Red Bull's lead driver. Interview Updates Sky interviewing Sky currently: the analyst is with Mercedes. The analyst is looking forward to the 2026 season, interviewing Adrian Newey about his promotion to the team 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 Las Vegas, resulting in an eighth position in the main race, he failed to advance of the first qualifying segment again on the previous day. Ferrari have consequently adjusted to his car configuration and so he begins from the pit lane. The team's Stroll and the Alpine pair of Gasly and Franco Colapinto are all starting from the same position. Racer Statements "We'll use the learning for the next day," says Hadjar, 11th on the grid. There will be a lot of that. Constructors' Championship It's not all about the drivers' title: The team have run away with the team championship but the team, with a 40-point lead over Red Bull, are aiming to seal second place during this event. George Russell can assist in this goal from the front row, and Antonelli will begin immediately after the leader. Past Performance Oscar Piastri won that day – as he did last year, as well. The driver from McLaren is going for a hat-trick. Short Race Importance Alright, just over 20 minutes to go till the sprint race gets under way. Barring disaster, it's greatest value is as an indication of what is to come, instead of significant 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 in a prior season. The driver wins F1 world title after Pérez crashes out of the short race.