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Preamble

Our correspondent is about to begin to take you through today's sprint race (14:00 GMT) and grid-setting session (6pm).

Real-Time Updates

Warm-Up Lap Time

The formation lap has begun.

Circuit Details

There are 19 laps around the lengthiest track in Formula One, David Croft reminds us.

Final Moments

The last moments has begun.

Driver Situation

An advantage in Verstappen's favour: his teammate Yuki Tsunoda is in front of him by one place. He is unlikely to challenge the team's lead driver.

Interview Updates

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

The analyst is jumping ahead to the 2026 season, interviewing Adrian Newey about his promotion to Aston Martin team principal.

Starting Positions

Just 16 cars on the grid. This followed another poor grid-setting session for the driver: following his result of 20th and last in the previous race, leading to an eighth position in the main race, he failed to advance of Q1 once more on the previous day. Ferrari have as a result adjusted to his car configuration and so he will start from the pit lane.

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

Driver Comments

"We take the experience for the next day," states Isack Hadjar, starting eleventh. There will be a lot of that.

Team Standings

The focus isn't solely on the drivers' title: McLaren have run away with the constructors' gong but the team, with a 40-point lead over their rivals, are aiming to secure the runner-up position during this event. George Russell can help them achieve that from second place, and Antonelli will begin immediately after the leader.

Previous Results

Piastri won that day – as he managed last year, as well. The driver from McLaren is attempting a hat-trick.

Short Race Importance

Right, approximately twenty minutes to go till the sprint race begins. Unless something goes wrong, it's greatest value is as a preview of what is to come, instead of significant in its itself, with only eight points available to the winner. However, the runner-up spot here was sufficient for the driver to become champion two years ago.

The driver claimed F1 world title after his teammate's accident of Qatar GP sprint race.