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Opening Notes

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

Current Events

Warm-Up Lap Time

The warm-up lap is underway.

Track Information

There are nineteen laps around the lengthiest track in Formula One, the commentator reminds us.

Final Moments

The final countdown is underway.

Racer Positions

An advantage in Max Verstappen's favour: his fellow driver Yuki Tsunoda is in front of him by a single position. It's improbable to mess with Red Bull's main man.

Interview Updates

Sky speaking with Sky currently: Gary Neville is with Mercedes.

The analyst is looking forward to the 2026 season, interviewing Adrian Newey about his stepping up to Aston Martin lead role.

Starting Positions

Just sixteen vehicles on the grid. This followed another poor grid-setting session for the driver: following his result of twentieth and final in Las Vegas, 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 Friday. Ferrari have as a result made changes to his setup and so he will start from the starting area.

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

Racer Statements

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

Constructors' Championship

The focus isn't solely on the individual championship: McLaren have run away with the team championship but Mercedes, with a forty-point advantage over Red Bull, will be hoping to seal second place this weekend. Russell can help them achieve that from the front row, and Antonelli will begin immediately after Verstappen.

Previous Results

Piastri was victorious then – as he did last year, as well. The driver from McLaren is attempting a hat-trick.

Short Race Importance

Right, approximately twenty minutes remaining till the short race begins. Barring disaster, its main importance is as an indication of future events, instead of highly important in its itself, with just eight championship points awarded to the victor. However, second place here was enough for the driver to claim the title in a prior season.

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