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Preamble

Our correspondent will be here shortly to guide you through this day's sprint race (14:00 GMT) and qualifying (18:00 GMT).

Real-Time Updates

Formation Lap Time

The warm-up lap is underway.

Track Information

There are 19 laps around the lengthiest track in F1, the commentator points out.

Final Moments

The last moments is underway.

Driver Situation

An advantage in Verstappen's favour: his fellow driver Yuki Tsunoda is ahead of him by a single position. He is unlikely to challenge Red Bull's main man.

Interview Updates

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

Karun Chandhok is jumping ahead to 2026, speaking with Adrian Newey about his stepping up to the team lead role.

Starting Positions

There are only sixteen vehicles on the grid. This followed another bad qualifying for the driver: after coming twentieth and final in Las Vegas, leading to an eighth position in the main race, he did not manage to advance of Q1 again on the previous day. Ferrari have consequently made changes to his car configuration and so he begins 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.

Racer Statements

"We'll use the learning for tomorrow," states Isack Hadjar, starting eleventh. There will be plenty of learning.

Team Standings

It's not all about the drivers' title: The team have run away with the team championship but Mercedes, with a 40-point lead over their rivals, are aiming to seal second place this weekend. Russell can assist in this goal from second place, and Antonelli will begin immediately after the leader.

Past Performance

Piastri was victorious then – as he managed the previous season, as well. McLaren's Australian is going for a third consecutive win.

Short Race Importance

Right, approximately 20 minutes to go until the sprint race gets under way. Barring disaster, its main importance is as an indication of what is to come, rather than highly important in its itself, with only eight points awarded to the victor. However, the runner-up spot in this race was enough for Verstappen to claim the title two years ago.

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