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Opening Notes

The author is about to begin to take you through this day's sprint race (2pm GMT) and qualifying (6pm).

Real-Time Updates

Formation Lap Time

The warm-up lap has begun.

Circuit Details

There are 19 laps of the longest circuit in Formula 1, the commentator informs us.

Final Moments

The last moments is underway.

Driver Situation

One point in Verstappen's favour: his teammate Yuki Tsunoda is in front of him by a single position. It's improbable to challenge Red Bull's lead driver.

Interview Updates

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

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

Starting Positions

There are only sixteen vehicles on the grid. It was another poor grid-setting session for the driver: after coming twentieth and final in the previous race, resulting in an eighth position in the main race, he did not manage to advance of the first qualifying segment once more on the previous day. Ferrari have consequently made changes to his car configuration and so he will start from the starting area.

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

Driver Comments

"We'll use the learning for the next day," says Isack Hadjar, 11th on the grid. Expect a lot of that.

Constructors' Championship

The focus isn't solely on the individual championship: McLaren have run away with the team championship but the team, with a forty-point advantage over their rivals, are aiming to secure the runner-up position during this event. George Russell can help them achieve that from the front row, and Kimi Antonelli will begin immediately after the leader.

Previous Results

Oscar Piastri was victorious then – as he managed last year, as well. McLaren's Australian is going for a third consecutive win.

Short Race Importance

Right, just over 20 minutes to go until 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 just eight championship points awarded to the winner. However, the runner-up spot here was sufficient for the driver to claim the title in a prior season.

Max Verstappen wins the championship following Pérez crashes out of the short race.