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Preamble

Philip is about to begin to guide you through today's sprint race (14:00 GMT) and grid-setting session (18:00 GMT).

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Warm-Up Lap Period

The starting lap has started.

Track Information

There are 19 laps around the lengthiest track in Formula 1, David Croft points out.

Final Moments

The countdown has begun.

Racer Positions

One point in Verstappen's advantage: his teammate Yuki Tsunoda is in front of him by a single position. He is unlikely to interfere with the team's lead driver.

Media Conversations

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

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

Starting Positions

There are only 16 cars on the grid. This followed another bad qualifying for Lewis Hamilton: after coming twentieth and final in the previous race, leading to an eighth position in the main race, he failed to make it out of the first qualifying segment once more on the previous day. Ferrari have as a result adjusted to his car configuration and so he will start from the starting area.

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

Driver Comments

"We'll use the learning for tomorrow," states Isack Hadjar, starting eleventh. Expect a lot of that.

Constructors' Championship

The focus isn't solely on the drivers' title: The team have run away with the constructors' gong but Mercedes, with a forty-point advantage over their rivals, are aiming to seal second place during this event. George Russell can help them achieve that from second place, and Kimi Antonelli will start just behind the leader.

Past Performance

Piastri was victorious then – as he managed last year, as well. McLaren's Australian is attempting a hat-trick.

Sprint Race Value

Right, approximately 20 minutes to go until the short race gets under way. Unless something goes wrong, its main importance is as a preview of future events, instead of significant in its own right, with only eight points awarded to the victor. However, the runner-up spot here was sufficient for Verstappen to claim the title two years ago.

Max Verstappen claimed the championship following his teammate's accident of Qatar GP sprint race.