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Opening Notes

Our correspondent is arriving soon to cover this day's short race (2pm GMT) and qualifying (6pm).

Real-Time Updates

Warm-Up Lap Period

The warm-up lap has started.

Track Information

We have 19 laps of the longest circuit 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.

Media Conversations

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

Karun Chandhok is looking forward to 2026, speaking with the engineer about his stepping up to the team team principal.

Grid Details

There are only sixteen vehicles on the grid. It was another poor grid-setting session for Lewis Hamilton: following his result of 20th and last in Las Vegas, leading to an eighth position in the main race, he did not manage to advance of the first qualifying segment once more on Friday. The team have as a result adjusted to his setup and so he will start from the pit lane.

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

Driver Comments

"We take the experience for the next day," says Hadjar, 11th on the grid. Expect a lot of that.

Team Standings

It's not all about the drivers' title: McLaren 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. Russell can help them achieve that from the front row, and Antonelli will begin immediately after the leader.

Previous Results

Oscar Piastri won that day – as he managed last year, as well. The driver from McLaren is going for a third consecutive win.

Sprint Race Value

Right, just over twenty minutes remaining till the sprint race begins. Unless something goes wrong, it's greatest value is as a preview of future events, instead of highly important in its own right, with just eight championship points available to the victor. However, second place here was enough for Verstappen to become champion two years ago.

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