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Opening Notes

The author is about to begin to guide you through today's short race (2pm GMT) and qualifying (6pm).

Real-Time Updates

Warm-Up Lap Period

The starting lap has started.

Circuit Details

There are 19 laps of the longest circuit in Formula One, David Croft informs us.

Final Moments

The last moments is on.

Driver Situation

One point in Verstappen's favour: his teammate Tsunoda is in front of him by one place. He is unlikely to mess with the team's lead driver.

Media Conversations

Sky interviewing Sky now: Gary Neville is at the Mercedes team.

Karun Chandhok is looking forward to the 2026 season, interviewing Adrian Newey about his promotion to the team lead role.

Grid Details

There are only 16 cars on the grid. It was another bad qualifying for the driver: after coming twentieth and final in the previous race, leading to an eighth position in the grand prix, he failed to advance of the first qualifying segment again on the previous day. Ferrari have consequently made changes to his setup and so he begins from the pit lane.

Aston Martin's Lance Stroll and the Alpine duo of Gasly and Franco Colapinto are all doing likewise.

Driver Comments

"We take the experience for tomorrow," says Hadjar, starting eleventh. There will be plenty of learning.

Team Standings

The focus isn't solely on the individual championship: McLaren have run away with the constructors' gong but Mercedes, with a forty-point advantage over their rivals, are aiming to seal second place this weekend. Russell can help them achieve that from second place, and Antonelli will start just behind the leader.

Previous Results

Oscar Piastri won that day – as he did the previous season, as well. McLaren's Australian is attempting a third consecutive win.

Sprint Race Value

Right, just over 20 minutes remaining until the short race gets under way. Barring disaster, its main importance is as a preview of what is to come, instead of highly important in its itself, with only eight points available to the winner. However, the runner-up spot here was sufficient for Verstappen to claim the title in a prior season.

Max Verstappen claimed the championship after Pérez crashes out of Qatar GP sprint race.