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Preamble

Philip is arriving soon to guide you through this day's sprint race (14:00 GMT) and qualifying (18:00 GMT).

Real-Time Updates

Starting Lap Period

The starting lap has started.

Circuit Details

There are nineteen laps around the lengthiest track in Formula 1, David Croft points out.

Countdown

The final countdown is underway.

Racer Positions

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

Media Conversations

Sky interviewing Sky now: the analyst is with Mercedes.

The analyst is looking forward to 2026, speaking with the engineer about his stepping up to the team team principal.

Starting Positions

There are only sixteen vehicles on the grid. It was another bad qualifying for Lewis Hamilton: following his result of twentieth and final in the previous race, resulting in an eighth position in the main race, he did not manage to advance of the first qualifying segment once more on the previous day. Ferrari have as a result made changes to his car configuration and so he begins from the pit lane.

Aston Martin'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 tomorrow," says Hadjar, 11th on the grid. Expect a lot of that.

Constructors' Championship

It's not all about the individual championship: The team have run away with the team championship but the team, with a 40-point lead over their rivals, will be hoping to seal second place this weekend. Russell can help them achieve that from second place, and Antonelli will begin immediately after Verstappen.

Past Performance

Piastri was victorious then – as he managed the previous season, too. The driver from McLaren is going for a third consecutive win.

Short Race Importance

Right, just over twenty minutes to go until the short race begins. Unless something goes wrong, it's greatest value is as an indication of future events, rather than significant in its itself, with just eight championship points awarded to the victor. Mind you, the runner-up spot here was sufficient for Verstappen to claim the title two years ago.

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