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Opening Notes

The author is about to begin to guide you through this day's short race (2pm GMT) and qualifying (18:00 GMT).

Real-Time Updates

Starting Lap Time

The starting lap is underway.

Circuit Details

We have nineteen laps around the lengthiest track in Formula 1, David Croft points out.

Countdown

The countdown has begun.

Driver Situation

One point in Verstappen's favour: his fellow driver Tsunoda is ahead of him by one place. It's improbable to mess with Red Bull's lead driver.

Media Conversations

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

Karun Chandhok is looking forward to 2026, speaking with the engineer about his promotion to Aston Martin lead role.

Grid Details

There are only sixteen vehicles on the grid. It was another bad qualifying for the driver: after coming 20th and last in Las Vegas, resulting in an eighth-place finish in the grand prix, he did not manage to make it out of Q1 again on the previous day. Ferrari have consequently made changes to his setup and so he will start from the pit lane.

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

Racer Statements

"We take the learning for the next day," states Isack Hadjar, starting eleventh. There will be plenty of learning.

Team Standings

It's not all about the drivers' title: The team have dominated the constructors' gong but Mercedes, with a forty-point advantage over Red Bull, will be hoping to seal second place this weekend. George Russell can assist in this goal from the front row, and Kimi Antonelli will start just behind Verstappen.

Past Performance

Oscar Piastri won that day – as he did the previous season, too. The driver from McLaren is attempting a hat-trick.

Sprint Race Value

Alright, just over 20 minutes remaining till the sprint race gets under way. Unless something goes wrong, its main importance is as a preview of what is to come, rather than highly important in its own right, with just eight championship points awarded to the winner. However, second place in this race was enough for Verstappen to claim the title in a prior season.

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