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Opening Notes

Philip will be here shortly to take you through this day's short race (14:00 GMT) and grid-setting session (18:00 GMT).

Real-Time Updates

Starting Lap Time

The warm-up lap has started.

Track Information

We have 19 laps around the lengthiest track in Formula One, the commentator informs us.

Final Moments

The countdown has begun.

Driver Situation

One point in Verstappen's advantage: his fellow driver Tsunoda is in front of him by one place. He is unlikely to interfere with the team's main man.

Interview Updates

Sky speaking with Sky currently: Gary Neville is at the Mercedes team.

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

Starting Positions

There are only 16 cars on the grid. It was another bad qualifying for the driver: following his result of twentieth and final in Las Vegas, leading to an eighth-place finish in the main race, he did not manage to advance of the first qualifying segment again on the previous day. The team have as a result adjusted to his car configuration and so he will start from the starting area.

Aston Martin's Stroll and the Alpine pair of Gasly and Franco Colapinto are all starting from the same position.

Driver Comments

"We take the experience for tomorrow," says Isack Hadjar, 11th on the grid. There will be plenty of learning.

Constructors' Championship

The focus isn't solely on the drivers' title: McLaren have dominated the constructors' gong but Mercedes, with a 40-point lead over their rivals, are aiming to secure the runner-up position during this event. Russell can assist in this goal from the front row, and Antonelli will begin immediately after Verstappen.

Past Performance

Piastri won that day – as he did last year, as well. McLaren's Australian is going for a hat-trick.

Sprint Race Value

Alright, approximately twenty minutes remaining till the short race begins. Unless something goes wrong, it's greatest value is as an indication of future events, rather than significant in its itself, with just eight championship points awarded to the winner. However, the runner-up spot in this race was enough for the driver to become champion in a prior season.

Max Verstappen claimed F1 world title following his teammate's accident of the short race.