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Preamble

Our correspondent will be here shortly to guide you through today's sprint race (2pm GMT) and qualifying (18:00 GMT).

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Starting Lap Time

The warm-up lap has started.

Circuit Details

There are 19 laps around the lengthiest track in F1, David Croft reminds us.

Final Moments

The final countdown is on.

Racer Positions

One point in Max Verstappen's favour: his teammate Tsunoda is ahead of him by a single position. It's improbable to challenge Red Bull's main man.

Media Conversations

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

The analyst is looking forward to the 2026 season, speaking with the engineer about his promotion to Aston Martin team principal.

Starting Positions

There are only 16 cars on the grid. It was another poor grid-setting session for Lewis Hamilton: after coming 20th and last in the previous race, resulting in an eighth position in the grand prix, he did not manage to make it out of Q1 again on the previous day. Ferrari have as a result made changes to his setup and so he will start from the starting area.

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

Driver Comments

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

Constructors' Championship

The focus isn't solely on the individual championship: McLaren have run away with the team championship but Mercedes, with a 40-point lead over their rivals, will be hoping to secure the runner-up position during this event. George Russell can assist in this goal from second place, and Antonelli will begin immediately after Verstappen.

Past Performance

Oscar Piastri won that day – as he managed last year, as well. McLaren's Australian is attempting a hat-trick.

Sprint Race Value

Right, just over 20 minutes remaining until the sprint race gets under way. Unless something goes wrong, it's greatest value is as an indication of what is to come, instead of highly important in its itself, with only eight points available to the victor. Mind you, second place in this race was sufficient for the driver to become champion two years ago.

The driver claimed F1 world title after his teammate's accident of Qatar GP sprint race.