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Preamble

The author is about to begin to guide you through today's short race (2pm GMT) and grid-setting session (18:00 GMT).

Current Events

Warm-Up Lap Time

The starting lap has started.

Track Information

We have nineteen laps of the longest circuit in Formula 1, David Croft reminds us.

Countdown

The countdown is on.

Racer Positions

An advantage in Max Verstappen's favour: his fellow driver Tsunoda is in front of him by a single position. He is unlikely to challenge Red Bull's main man.

Interview Updates

Sky interviewing Sky now: Gary Neville is with Mercedes.

Karun Chandhok is jumping ahead to the 2026 season, speaking with Adrian Newey about his stepping up to the team team principal.

Grid Details

There are only sixteen vehicles on the grid. It was another poor grid-setting session for Lewis Hamilton: following his result of 20th and last in Las Vegas, resulting in an eighth-place finish in the main race, he did not manage to make it out of the first qualifying segment again on Friday. The team have as a result adjusted to his setup and so he will start from the starting area.

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

Racer Statements

"We take the learning for tomorrow," says Hadjar, starting eleventh. Expect a lot of that.

Constructors' Championship

The focus isn't solely on the individual championship: The team have dominated the team championship but the team, with a 40-point lead over Red Bull, are aiming to seal second place this weekend. George Russell can assist in this goal from the front row, and Kimi Antonelli will begin immediately after Verstappen.

Past Performance

Piastri won that day – as he did last year, as well. The driver from McLaren is attempting a third consecutive win.

Short Race Importance

Alright, approximately twenty minutes remaining till the sprint race gets under way. Unless something goes wrong, its main importance is as an indication of what is to come, instead of significant in its own right, with only eight points awarded to the winner. However, second place here was sufficient for the driver to become champion in a prior season.

The driver wins the championship after his teammate's accident of the short race.