🔗 Share this article Qatar Short Race and Grand Prix Qualifying: Real-Time Updates Opening Notes Philip is about to begin to guide you through today's short race (2pm GMT) and grid-setting session (18:00 GMT). Current Events Warm-Up Lap Time The starting lap has begun. Circuit Details We have 19 laps of the longest circuit in Formula 1, David Croft informs us. Countdown The countdown has begun. Driver Situation An advantage in Verstappen's advantage: his teammate Yuki Tsunoda is ahead of him by a single position. He is unlikely to mess with the team's lead driver. Interview Updates Sky's internal discussion now: Gary Neville is with Mercedes. Karun Chandhok is looking forward to 2026, speaking with the engineer about his stepping up to the team lead role. Starting Positions There are only sixteen vehicles on the grid. It was another bad qualifying for the driver: after coming twentieth and final in the previous race, resulting in an eighth-place finish in the main race, he failed to advance of Q1 once more on the previous day. Ferrari have consequently adjusted to his setup and so he will start from the starting area. Aston Martin's Lance Stroll and the Alpine duo of Pierre Gasly and Franco Colapinto are all starting from the same position. Racer Statements "We'll use the learning for tomorrow," says Hadjar, 11th on the grid. There will be a lot of that. Team Standings It's not all about the drivers' title: McLaren have dominated the constructors' gong but Mercedes, with a 40-point lead over their rivals, will be hoping to secure the runner-up position this weekend. George Russell can help them achieve that from the front row, and Antonelli will start just behind Verstappen. Past Performance Piastri was victorious then – as he did last year, as well. The driver from McLaren is going for a third consecutive win. Sprint Race Value Alright, approximately twenty minutes remaining till the sprint race begins. Unless something goes wrong, its main importance is as an indication of future events, rather than highly important in its itself, with only eight points awarded to the victor. However, the runner-up spot in this race was sufficient for the driver to claim the title two years ago. Max Verstappen claimed F1 world title following his teammate's accident of the short race.