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Preamble

Philip will be here shortly to take you through today's sprint race (2pm GMT) and grid-setting session (6pm).

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Warm-Up Lap Period

The formation lap has started.

Track Information

We have nineteen laps around the lengthiest track in Formula One, David Croft reminds us.

Countdown

The final countdown is on.

Driver Situation

An advantage in Max 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 main man.

Interview Updates

Sky interviewing Sky currently: Gary Neville is at the Mercedes team.

The analyst is jumping ahead to the 2026 season, speaking with the engineer about his stepping up to Aston Martin lead role.

Starting Positions

Just 16 cars on the grid. This followed another poor grid-setting session for the driver: following his result of 20th and last in the previous race, leading to an eighth position in the grand prix, he did not manage to advance of the first qualifying segment again on the previous day. The team have consequently adjusted to his car configuration and so he begins from the starting area.

Aston Martin's Lance Stroll and the Alpine duo of Gasly and Colapinto are all doing likewise.

Driver Comments

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

Constructors' Championship

It's not all about the individual championship: McLaren have dominated the constructors' gong but the team, with a forty-point advantage over their rivals, are aiming to seal second place during this event. Russell can help them achieve that from second place, and Antonelli will begin immediately after the leader.

Previous Results

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

Short Race Importance

Alright, just over 20 minutes to go till the short race gets under way. Unless something goes wrong, its main importance is as a preview of what is to come, rather than significant in its own right, with just eight championship points awarded to the victor. However, the runner-up spot here was enough for the driver to become champion in a prior season.

The driver wins F1 world title after Pérez crashes out of Qatar GP sprint race.