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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 (18:00 GMT).

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Formation Lap Time

The warm-up lap has begun.

Track Information

There are nineteen laps of the longest circuit in Formula One, David Croft reminds us.

Final Moments

The countdown has begun.

Driver Situation

One point in Max Verstappen's favour: his teammate Yuki Tsunoda is in front of him by a single position. It's improbable to challenge the team's lead driver.

Media Conversations

Sky speaking with Sky currently: the analyst is with Mercedes.

Karun Chandhok is looking forward to 2026, speaking with Adrian Newey about his stepping up to the team lead role.

Starting Positions

Just sixteen vehicles on the grid. It was another poor grid-setting session for the driver: following his result of twentieth and final in the previous race, leading to an eighth-place finish in the main race, he did not manage to advance of Q1 once more on Friday. The team have as a result adjusted to his setup and so he will start from the starting area.

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

Racer Statements

"We'll use the experience for the next day," states Hadjar, starting eleventh. Expect a lot of that.

Team Standings

It's not all about the drivers' title: The team have dominated the constructors' gong but Mercedes, with a forty-point advantage over their rivals, are aiming to secure the runner-up position during this event. George Russell can help them achieve that from the front row, and Kimi Antonelli will start just behind the leader.

Past Performance

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

Sprint Race Value

Alright, just over twenty minutes remaining until the short race gets under way. Barring disaster, it's greatest value is as a preview of what is to come, rather than highly important in its itself, with only eight points awarded to the winner. However, the runner-up spot here was enough for the driver to become champion two years ago.

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