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Introduction

The author will be here shortly to cover this day's sprint race (2pm GMT) and qualifying (18:00 GMT).

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Formation Lap Period

The warm-up lap has started.

Circuit Details

We have nineteen laps of the longest circuit in Formula One, the commentator informs us.

Final Moments

The final countdown is underway.

Racer Positions

An advantage in Verstappen's favour: his teammate Tsunoda is ahead of him by one place. It's improbable to challenge the team's main man.

Media Conversations

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

The analyst is jumping ahead to the 2026 season, speaking with Adrian Newey about his promotion to Aston Martin lead role.

Grid Details

There are only 16 cars on the grid. It was another poor grid-setting session for Lewis Hamilton: following his result of twentieth and final in the previous race, resulting in an eighth-place finish in the grand prix, he did not manage to make it out of the first qualifying segment once more on the previous day. Ferrari have consequently made changes to his setup and so he will start from the pit lane.

Aston Martin's Lance Stroll and the Alpine pair of Pierre Gasly and Franco Colapinto are all starting from the same position.

Driver Comments

"We'll use the learning for tomorrow," says Hadjar, 11th on the grid. Expect a lot of that.

Constructors' Championship

The focus isn't solely on the drivers' title: The team have run away with the constructors' gong but Mercedes, with a 40-point lead over Red Bull, will be hoping to seal second place during this event. Russell can help them achieve that from second place, and Antonelli will start just behind Verstappen.

Previous Results

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

Sprint Race Value

Alright, just over 20 minutes to go till the sprint race gets under way. Barring disaster, it's greatest value is as an indication of what is to come, rather than highly important in its itself, with only eight points awarded to the winner. Mind you, second place in this race was sufficient for Verstappen to claim the title in a prior season.

Max Verstappen claimed F1 world title following Pérez crashes out of the short race.