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Preamble

The author is about to begin to take you through this day's sprint race (2pm GMT) and grid-setting session (18:00 GMT).

Current Events

Formation Lap Time

The formation lap is underway.

Track Information

We have nineteen laps of the longest circuit in Formula 1, the commentator informs us.

Countdown

The final countdown is on.

Racer Positions

One point in Max Verstappen's favour: his fellow driver Yuki Tsunoda is in front of him by a single position. He is unlikely to interfere with Red Bull's main man.

Interview Updates

Sky's internal discussion now: Gary Neville is with Mercedes.

Karun Chandhok is jumping ahead to 2026, interviewing the engineer about his promotion to the team lead role.

Starting Positions

There are only 16 cars 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 failed to advance of Q1 again on Friday. Ferrari have as a result adjusted to his setup and so he begins from the pit lane.

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

Driver Comments

"We take the learning for the next day," states Isack Hadjar, starting eleventh. There will be plenty of learning.

Constructors' Championship

The focus isn't solely on the drivers' title: McLaren 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 help them achieve that from second place, and Kimi Antonelli will start just behind Verstappen.

Past Performance

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

Short Race Importance

Alright, just over twenty minutes remaining until the short race gets under way. Unless something goes wrong, it's greatest value is as a preview of future events, rather than highly important in its own right, with only eight points available to the winner. However, the runner-up spot here was sufficient for Verstappen to claim the title in a prior season.

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