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Introduction

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

Real-Time Updates

Starting Lap Time

The formation lap is underway.

Circuit Details

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

Final Moments

The final countdown is on.

Driver Situation

One point in Max Verstappen's favour: his teammate Yuki Tsunoda is ahead of him by one place. He is unlikely to challenge the team's lead driver.

Media Conversations

Sky speaking with Sky now: the analyst is with Mercedes.

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

Starting Positions

There are only 16 cars on the grid. This followed another poor grid-setting session for the driver: following his result of twentieth and final in the previous race, resulting in an eighth-place finish in the main race, he did not manage to advance of the first qualifying segment once more on Friday. Ferrari have consequently adjusted to his car configuration and so he will start from the pit lane.

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

Driver Comments

"We'll use the learning for tomorrow," states Isack Hadjar, 11th on the grid. There will be a lot of that.

Team Standings

It's not all about the individual championship: The team have dominated 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 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.

Short Race Importance

Right, approximately twenty minutes remaining until the sprint race begins. Unless something goes wrong, it's greatest value is as an indication of what is to come, instead of highly important in its own right, with just eight championship points awarded to the winner. Mind you, second place here was enough for the driver to claim the title in a prior season.

The driver claimed the championship after his teammate's accident of Qatar GP sprint race.