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Preamble

Our correspondent is arriving soon to take you through this day's sprint race (14:00 GMT) and grid-setting session (6pm).

Real-Time Updates

Formation Lap Period

The starting lap has begun.

Circuit Details

There are nineteen laps around the lengthiest track in Formula One, the commentator points out.

Countdown

The final countdown is on.

Driver Situation

One point in Verstappen's favour: his teammate Tsunoda is ahead of him by one place. It's improbable to challenge the team's lead driver.

Interview Updates

Sky speaking with Sky currently: the analyst is with Mercedes.

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

Grid Details

There are only 16 cars on the grid. This followed another poor grid-setting session for Lewis Hamilton: following his result of 20th and last in Las Vegas, resulting in an eighth-place finish in the main race, he did not manage to make it out of the first qualifying segment once more on the previous day. Ferrari have consequently made changes to his car configuration and so he begins from the starting area.

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

Driver Comments

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

Team Standings

It's not all about the individual championship: The team have run away with the team championship but Mercedes, with a forty-point advantage over their rivals, will be hoping to seal second place this weekend. George Russell can assist in this goal from second place, and Antonelli will start just behind the leader.

Past Performance

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

Short Race Importance

Alright, approximately twenty minutes remaining until the sprint race gets under way. Unless something goes wrong, it's greatest value is as an indication of future events, instead of highly important in its itself, with just eight championship points available to the victor. Mind you, the runner-up spot in this race was enough for the driver to become champion in a prior season.

Max Verstappen wins the championship following Pérez crashes out of Qatar GP sprint race.