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Introduction

Philip is arriving soon to guide you through today's short race (14:00 GMT) and grid-setting session (18:00 GMT).

Real-Time Updates

Formation Lap Time

The warm-up lap has started.

Track Information

We have nineteen laps around the lengthiest track in Formula 1, David Croft points out.

Countdown

The last moments is underway.

Racer Positions

One point in Verstappen's advantage: his fellow driver Yuki Tsunoda is in front of him by one place. It's improbable to mess with Red Bull's main man.

Interview Updates

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

Karun Chandhok is jumping ahead to the 2026 season, interviewing Adrian Newey about his stepping up to Aston Martin team principal.

Starting Positions

There are only 16 cars on the grid. This followed another bad qualifying for Lewis Hamilton: following his result of 20th and last in Las Vegas, leading to an eighth-place finish in the main race, he did not manage to advance of the first qualifying segment again on the previous day. The team have consequently adjusted to his car configuration and so he will start from the starting area.

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

Racer Statements

"We'll use the experience for tomorrow," says Isack Hadjar, starting eleventh. Expect plenty of learning.

Team Standings

It's not all about the individual championship: The team have dominated the constructors' gong but the team, with a 40-point lead over Red Bull, will be hoping to secure the runner-up position this weekend. Russell can assist in this goal from second place, and Antonelli will begin immediately after Verstappen.

Previous Results

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

Sprint Race Value

Right, just over twenty minutes remaining till the short race begins. Barring disaster, its main importance is as an indication of what is to come, rather than highly important in its own right, with just eight championship points available to the winner. However, second place in this race was enough for Verstappen to claim the title in a prior season.

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