🔗 Share this article Qatar's Short Race and Main Event Qualifying: Real-Time Updates Opening Notes The author will be here shortly to cover this day's short race (14:00 GMT) and grid-setting session (6pm). Real-Time Updates Formation Lap Period The formation lap has begun. Circuit Details There are 19 laps around the lengthiest track in F1, David Croft reminds us. Countdown The final countdown is on. Racer Positions An advantage in Max Verstappen's favour: his fellow driver Tsunoda is ahead of him by a single position. He is unlikely to mess with the team's main man. Interview Updates Sky interviewing Sky currently: Gary Neville is with Mercedes. Karun Chandhok is jumping ahead to the 2026 season, speaking with the engineer about his stepping up to the team team principal. Grid Details There are only sixteen vehicles on the grid. This followed another poor grid-setting session for the driver: following his result of twentieth and final in the previous race, leading to an eighth position in the main race, he did not manage to make it out of Q1 again on Friday. Ferrari have consequently made changes to his setup and so he begins from the starting area. The team's Lance Stroll and the Alpine duo of Pierre Gasly and Franco Colapinto are all doing likewise. Racer Statements "We take the experience for tomorrow," says Hadjar, 11th on the grid. Expect plenty of learning. Constructors' Championship It's not all about the drivers' title: The team have run away with the team championship but Mercedes, with a forty-point advantage over Red Bull, are aiming to seal second place this weekend. Russell can help them achieve that from the front row, and Antonelli will begin immediately after Verstappen. Previous Results Piastri was victorious then – as he managed the previous season, as well. The driver from McLaren is attempting a third consecutive win. Sprint Race Value Right, just over 20 minutes to go till the sprint race begins. Barring disaster, its main importance is as an indication of future events, instead of significant in its itself, with only eight points available to the victor. However, second place here was sufficient for Verstappen to become champion in a prior season. Max Verstappen claimed F1 world title following Pérez crashes out of the short race.