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Introduction

The author will be here shortly to guide you through this day's sprint race (14:00 GMT) and qualifying (18:00 GMT).

Real-Time Updates

Formation Lap Period

The starting lap has started.

Circuit Details

There are 19 laps around the lengthiest track in F1, David Croft informs us.

Countdown

The countdown has begun.

Driver Situation

One point in Verstappen's favour: his teammate Tsunoda is in front of him by a single position. He is unlikely to challenge Red Bull's main man.

Media Conversations

Sky interviewing Sky currently: the analyst is at the Mercedes team.

The analyst is jumping ahead to the 2026 season, interviewing the engineer about his stepping up to the team lead role.

Starting Positions

Just 16 cars on the grid. This followed another poor grid-setting session for the driver: after coming 20th and last in Las Vegas, resulting in an eighth-place finish in the grand prix, he did not manage to make it out of Q1 again on Friday. Ferrari have as a result adjusted to his car configuration and so he will start from the starting area.

Aston Martin's Lance Stroll and the Alpine pair of Pierre Gasly and Franco Colapinto are all doing likewise.

Driver Comments

"We take the learning for the next day," says Isack Hadjar, starting eleventh. Expect a lot of that.

Team Standings

The focus isn't solely on the individual championship: McLaren have run away with the team championship but the team, with a forty-point advantage over their rivals, are aiming to secure the runner-up position during this event. George Russell can help them achieve that from the front row, and Kimi Antonelli will start just behind the leader.

Past Performance

Oscar Piastri won that day – as he did last year, as well. The driver from McLaren is going for a third consecutive win.

Short Race Importance

Alright, approximately twenty minutes to go till the short race begins. Unless something goes wrong, it's greatest value is as an indication of what is to come, rather than significant in its itself, with only eight points awarded to the victor. Mind you, second place here was sufficient for the driver to claim the title two years ago.

The driver claimed F1 world title following Pérez crashes out of Qatar GP sprint race.