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Opening Notes

Our correspondent is arriving soon to take you through this day's short race (2pm GMT) and grid-setting session (6pm).

Real-Time Updates

Warm-Up Lap Period

The formation lap is underway.

Track Information

There are 19 laps of the longest circuit in Formula 1, the commentator reminds us.

Countdown

The countdown is on.

Racer Positions

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

Media Conversations

Sky speaking with Sky now: Gary Neville is at the Mercedes team.

The analyst is jumping ahead to the 2026 season, interviewing Adrian Newey about his promotion to the team team principal.

Starting Positions

There are only 16 cars on the grid. It was another bad qualifying for Lewis Hamilton: following his result of twentieth and final in the previous race, leading to an eighth-place finish in the main race, he did not manage to make it out of Q1 again on the previous day. Ferrari have as a result made changes to his car configuration and so he will start from the starting area.

Aston Martin's Lance 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 tomorrow," states Hadjar, 11th on the grid. There will be a lot of that.

Team Standings

It's not all about the individual championship: McLaren have run away with the team championship but the team, with a 40-point lead over Red Bull, are aiming to secure the runner-up position during this event. Russell can assist in this goal from the front row, and Antonelli will start just behind Verstappen.

Past Performance

Oscar Piastri was victorious then – as he managed last year, as well. The driver from McLaren is going for a hat-trick.

Sprint Race Value

Right, just over twenty minutes to go till the short race gets under way. Unless something goes wrong, its main importance is as a preview of what is to come, instead of highly important in its itself, with only eight points awarded to the victor. However, second place in this race was enough for Verstappen to claim the title two years ago.

Max Verstappen claimed F1 world title following his teammate's accident of Qatar GP sprint race.