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Preamble

Our correspondent is about to begin to guide you through this day's sprint race (14:00 GMT) and grid-setting session (18:00 GMT).

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Warm-Up Lap Period

The starting lap has started.

Circuit Details

We have nineteen laps around the lengthiest track in Formula 1, David Croft points out.

Countdown

The countdown is underway.

Driver Situation

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

Interview Updates

Sky's internal discussion now: Gary Neville is at the Mercedes team.

The analyst is jumping ahead to 2026, interviewing the engineer about his promotion to Aston Martin lead role.

Starting Positions

There are only sixteen vehicles on the grid. It was another bad qualifying for Lewis Hamilton: after coming twentieth and final in Las Vegas, resulting in an eighth-place finish in the grand prix, he did not manage to make it out of the first qualifying segment once more on Friday. Ferrari have as a result made changes to his car configuration and so he begins from the pit lane.

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

Driver Comments

"We'll use the experience for tomorrow," says Isack Hadjar, starting eleventh. Expect plenty of learning.

Constructors' Championship

The focus isn't solely on the individual championship: McLaren have run away with the constructors' gong but the team, with a 40-point lead over Red Bull, will be hoping 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.

Previous Results

Oscar Piastri was victorious then – as he did last year, as well. The driver from McLaren is attempting a third consecutive win.

Short Race Importance

Alright, approximately twenty minutes to go until the short race gets under way. Barring disaster, its main importance is as a preview of what is to come, instead of highly important in its own right, with only eight points available to the winner. Mind you, the runner-up spot in this race was sufficient for Verstappen to become champion two years ago.

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