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Introduction

Philip is arriving soon to cover today's sprint race (14:00 GMT) and grid-setting session (6pm).

Real-Time Updates

Formation Lap Period

The warm-up lap is underway.

Circuit Details

There are nineteen laps around the lengthiest track in Formula 1, David Croft reminds us.

Countdown

The last moments has begun.

Driver Situation

An advantage in Verstappen's advantage: his teammate Tsunoda is ahead of him by one place. He is unlikely to interfere with Red Bull's main man.

Media Conversations

Sky speaking with Sky currently: the analyst is at the Mercedes team.

The analyst is looking forward to 2026, speaking with Adrian Newey about his stepping up to Aston Martin team principal.

Starting Positions

Just sixteen vehicles on the grid. This followed another poor grid-setting session for Lewis Hamilton: after coming 20th and last in Las Vegas, leading to an eighth position in the main race, he failed to make it out of the first qualifying segment again on Friday. The team have consequently adjusted to his setup and so he begins from the starting area.

The team's Stroll and the Alpine pair of Gasly and Franco Colapinto are all starting from the same position.

Driver Comments

"We take the learning for the next day," states Isack Hadjar, 11th on the grid. Expect a lot of that.

Constructors' Championship

The focus isn't solely on the individual championship: The team have dominated the team championship but the team, with a forty-point advantage over Red Bull, will be hoping to seal second place this weekend. George Russell can assist in this goal from the front row, and Kimi Antonelli will start just behind the leader.

Past Performance

Piastri was victorious then – as he managed the previous season, as well. McLaren's Australian is attempting a third consecutive win.

Short Race Importance

Alright, approximately twenty minutes remaining till the sprint race begins. Barring disaster, it's greatest value is as a preview of future events, rather than significant in its own right, with just eight championship points awarded to the winner. However, the runner-up spot here was enough for the driver to claim the title two years ago.

The driver wins the championship following Pérez crashes out of Qatar GP sprint race.