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Opening Notes

Our correspondent will be here shortly to take you through this day's sprint race (2pm GMT) and qualifying (6pm).

Real-Time Updates

Formation Lap Time

The formation lap has started.

Circuit Details

We have nineteen laps around the lengthiest track in Formula One, the commentator informs us.

Countdown

The final countdown has begun.

Driver Situation

One point in Verstappen's favour: his fellow driver Yuki Tsunoda is in front of him by one place. It's improbable to mess with the team's lead driver.

Media Conversations

Sky's internal discussion now: Gary Neville is at the Mercedes team.

The analyst is jumping ahead to 2026, speaking with the engineer about his promotion to Aston Martin team principal.

Grid Details

There are only sixteen vehicles on the grid. It was another bad qualifying 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 make it out of Q1 once more on Friday. Ferrari have consequently adjusted to his car configuration and so he will start from the starting area.

The team's Stroll and the Alpine pair of Pierre Gasly and Colapinto are all doing likewise.

Racer Statements

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

Team Standings

The focus isn't solely on the individual championship: The team have run away with the team championship but the team, with a forty-point advantage over Red Bull, will be hoping to seal second place during this event. Russell can assist in this goal from the front row, and Kimi Antonelli will begin immediately after Verstappen.

Previous Results

Piastri won that day – as he managed the previous season, as well. McLaren's Australian is attempting a hat-trick.

Sprint Race Value

Right, approximately twenty minutes to go till the short race gets under way. Barring disaster, its main importance is as a preview of what is to come, rather than highly important in its itself, with only eight points awarded to the victor. However, the runner-up spot in this race was sufficient for the driver to claim the title in a prior season.

The driver claimed the championship after Pérez crashes out of Qatar GP sprint race.