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Introduction

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

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Warm-Up Lap Time

The formation lap has started.

Track Information

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

Final Moments

The final countdown is on.

Racer Positions

An advantage in Max Verstappen's favour: his fellow driver Tsunoda is in front of him by a single position. It's improbable to challenge the team's main man.

Media Conversations

Sky's internal discussion now: Gary Neville is at the Mercedes team.

Karun Chandhok is jumping ahead to the 2026 season, speaking with the engineer about his promotion to Aston Martin team principal.

Grid Details

Just sixteen vehicles on the grid. This followed another poor grid-setting session 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 Q1 again on Friday. The team have as a result made changes to his car configuration and so he will start from the pit lane.

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

Driver Comments

"We take the learning for the next day," states Hadjar, 11th on the grid. Expect a lot of that.

Constructors' Championship

It's not all about the individual championship: The team have dominated the constructors' gong but Mercedes, with a forty-point advantage over Red Bull, will be hoping to secure the runner-up position during this event. Russell can assist in this goal from second place, and Antonelli will begin immediately after the leader.

Past Performance

Oscar Piastri was victorious then – as he managed last year, too. McLaren's Australian is going for a third consecutive win.

Sprint Race Value

Right, just over 20 minutes remaining until the sprint race begins. Barring disaster, it's greatest value is as a preview of what is to come, rather than significant in its itself, with just eight championship points awarded to the victor. However, the runner-up spot here was sufficient for the driver to become champion in a prior season.

Max Verstappen claimed F1 world title following Pérez crashes out of the short race.