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Preamble

Philip is arriving soon to guide you through this day's sprint race (14:00 GMT) and qualifying (18:00 GMT).

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Formation Lap Time

The warm-up lap has begun.

Circuit Details

We have nineteen laps around the lengthiest track in Formula 1, the commentator reminds us.

Final Moments

The last moments is underway.

Racer Positions

One point in Verstappen's advantage: his fellow driver Tsunoda is in front of him by a single position. He is unlikely to mess with the team's main man.

Interview Updates

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

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

Starting Positions

Just 16 cars on the grid. This followed another poor grid-setting session for the driver: following his result of twentieth and final in the previous race, resulting in an eighth position in the main race, he failed to advance of the first qualifying segment once more on Friday. The team have consequently adjusted to his car configuration and so he begins from the starting area.

The team's Stroll and the Alpine pair of Pierre Gasly and Colapinto are all starting from the same position.

Driver Comments

"We'll use the learning for tomorrow," says Isack Hadjar, starting eleventh. Expect a lot of that.

Constructors' Championship

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

Previous Results

Piastri won that day – as he did last year, too. The driver from McLaren is going for a hat-trick.

Sprint Race Value

Alright, approximately twenty minutes remaining till the sprint race gets under way. Barring disaster, its main importance is as a preview of what is to come, instead of significant in its own right, with only eight points available to the winner. Mind you, the runner-up spot in this race was enough for the driver to become champion two years ago.

Max Verstappen wins F1 world title after Pérez crashes out of the short race.