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Opening Notes

Our correspondent is arriving soon to guide you through today's short race (2pm GMT) and qualifying (6pm).

Live Feed

Starting Lap Time

The formation lap is underway.

Track Information

We have 19 laps around the lengthiest track in F1, David Croft reminds us.

Final Moments

The countdown is underway.

Racer Positions

An advantage in Verstappen's advantage: his fellow driver Tsunoda is in front of him by a single position. He is unlikely to mess with Red Bull's lead driver.

Media Conversations

Sky's internal discussion currently: the analyst is with Mercedes.

Karun Chandhok is jumping ahead to the 2026 season, interviewing Adrian Newey about his stepping up to the team team principal.

Starting Positions

There are only sixteen vehicles on the grid. It was another poor grid-setting session for the driver: following his result of 20th and last in the previous race, resulting in an eighth position in the main race, he failed to make it out of the first qualifying segment once more on Friday. Ferrari have consequently adjusted to his setup and so he begins from the starting area.

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

Racer Statements

"We'll use the learning for the next day," says Hadjar, starting eleventh. There will be plenty of learning.

Team Standings

The focus isn't solely on the drivers' title: The team have dominated the constructors' gong but Mercedes, with a forty-point advantage over Red Bull, will be hoping to seal second place this weekend. Russell can help them achieve that from the front row, and Kimi Antonelli will start just behind Verstappen.

Previous Results

Piastri was victorious then – as he managed the previous season, too. The driver from McLaren is going for a hat-trick.

Sprint Race Value

Right, just over twenty minutes to go until the short race gets under way. Barring disaster, its main importance is as a preview of what is to come, instead of significant in its itself, with only eight points available to the victor. Mind you, the runner-up spot in this race was sufficient for Verstappen to become champion two years ago.

The driver claimed the championship after Pérez crashes out of Qatar GP sprint race.