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Preamble

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

Real-Time Updates

Starting Lap Time

The formation lap has started.

Track Information

We have 19 laps around the lengthiest track in Formula 1, the commentator reminds us.

Countdown

The countdown is underway.

Driver Situation

An advantage in Max Verstappen's advantage: his teammate Yuki Tsunoda is ahead of him by one place. It's improbable to interfere with Red Bull's lead driver.

Interview Updates

Sky speaking with Sky now: the analyst is at the Mercedes team.

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

Grid Details

There are only sixteen vehicles on the grid. It was another poor grid-setting session for Lewis Hamilton: following his result of twentieth and final in Las Vegas, leading to an eighth position in the grand prix, he failed to make it out of Q1 again on the previous day. The team have as a result adjusted to his setup and so he will start from the pit lane.

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

Racer Statements

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

Constructors' Championship

The focus isn't solely on the individual championship: McLaren have dominated the constructors' gong but Mercedes, with a forty-point advantage over their rivals, are aiming to secure the runner-up position this weekend. George Russell can help them achieve that from second place, and Antonelli will start just behind Verstappen.

Past Performance

Oscar Piastri won that day – as he did last year, as well. McLaren's Australian is attempting a third consecutive win.

Sprint Race Value

Right, approximately 20 minutes to go until the sprint race gets under way. Unless something goes wrong, it's greatest value is as a preview of future events, instead of significant in its own right, with just eight championship points awarded to the winner. However, the runner-up spot here was sufficient for the driver to become champion in a prior season.

Max Verstappen wins F1 world title after Pérez crashes out of Qatar GP sprint race.