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Preamble

Philip is arriving soon to cover today's sprint race (2pm GMT) and qualifying (6pm).

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Starting Lap Time

The warm-up lap has started.

Circuit Details

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

Final Moments

The final countdown has begun.

Racer Positions

An advantage in Verstappen's favour: his teammate Yuki Tsunoda is in front of him by a single position. 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 jumping ahead to the 2026 season, interviewing the engineer about his stepping up to the team lead role.

Starting Positions

Just sixteen vehicles on the grid. It was another poor grid-setting session for Lewis Hamilton: after coming 20th and last in the previous race, resulting in an eighth-place finish in the main race, he failed to advance of the first qualifying segment again on the previous day. The team have as a result made changes to his setup and so he begins from the pit lane.

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

Racer Statements

"We'll use the experience for the next day," says Hadjar, starting eleventh. Expect plenty of learning.

Constructors' Championship

The focus isn't solely on the individual championship: The team have run away with the constructors' gong but the team, with a forty-point advantage over Red Bull, are aiming to seal second place during this event. George Russell can help them achieve that from second place, and Kimi Antonelli will begin immediately after the leader.

Previous Results

Oscar Piastri was victorious then – as he managed the previous season, too. McLaren's Australian is attempting a third consecutive win.

Sprint Race Value

Alright, just over twenty minutes remaining till the short race begins. Barring disaster, its main importance is as a preview of future events, instead of significant in its itself, with only eight points available to the victor. Mind you, the runner-up spot in this race was sufficient for Verstappen to claim the title two years ago.

The driver wins F1 world title after Pérez crashes out of the short race.