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Introduction

Philip is arriving soon to cover this day's short race (2pm GMT) and grid-setting session (18:00 GMT).

Real-Time Updates

Formation Lap Time

The formation lap has begun.

Circuit Details

There are nineteen laps of the longest circuit in F1, the commentator informs us.

Final Moments

The last moments has begun.

Racer Positions

One point in Max Verstappen's advantage: his fellow driver Yuki Tsunoda is ahead of him by a single position. It's improbable to mess with the team's main man.

Media Conversations

Sky interviewing Sky currently: the analyst is at the Mercedes team.

Karun Chandhok is looking forward to the 2026 season, speaking with the engineer about his promotion to Aston Martin lead role.

Grid Details

There are only sixteen vehicles on the grid. It was another bad qualifying for the driver: after coming twentieth and final in Las Vegas, resulting in an eighth position in the main race, he did not manage to make it out of Q1 again on the previous day. Ferrari have as a result adjusted to his setup and so he begins from the pit lane.

Aston Martin's Lance Stroll and the Alpine pair of Pierre Gasly and Colapinto are all doing likewise.

Racer Statements

"We take the learning for the next day," says Hadjar, 11th on the grid. There will be a lot of that.

Constructors' Championship

The focus isn't solely on the drivers' title: The team have dominated the constructors' gong but the team, with a 40-point lead over their rivals, will be hoping to secure the runner-up position this weekend. Russell can help them achieve that from second place, and Kimi Antonelli will begin immediately after the leader.

Past Performance

Oscar Piastri was victorious then – as he managed the previous season, too. The driver from McLaren is attempting a third consecutive win.

Short Race Importance

Right, approximately 20 minutes remaining until the sprint race begins. Barring disaster, it's greatest value is as a preview of future events, rather than highly important in its own right, with just eight championship points awarded to the winner. Mind you, second place in this race was enough for the driver to claim the title in a prior season.

The driver claimed the championship after Pérez crashes out of the short race.