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Opening Notes

Philip is about to begin to take you through this day's short race (2pm GMT) and grid-setting session (6pm).

Real-Time Updates

Warm-Up Lap Time

The starting lap has begun.

Circuit Details

There are 19 laps around the lengthiest track in Formula 1, David Croft reminds us.

Final Moments

The final countdown is on.

Driver Situation

An advantage in Max Verstappen's favour: his fellow driver Yuki Tsunoda is in front of him by one place. It's improbable to challenge Red Bull's lead driver.

Media Conversations

Sky interviewing Sky currently: the analyst is at the Mercedes team.

Karun Chandhok is looking forward to 2026, speaking with the engineer about his stepping up to Aston Martin lead role.

Starting Positions

There are only 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-place finish in the grand prix, he did not manage to make it out of Q1 again on Friday. The team have consequently made changes to his car configuration and so he begins from the pit lane.

The team's Stroll and the Alpine duo of Gasly and Franco Colapinto are all doing likewise.

Driver Comments

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

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, are aiming to secure the runner-up position this weekend. George Russell can help them achieve that from the front row, and Antonelli will begin immediately after the leader.

Previous Results

Oscar Piastri won that day – as he managed the previous season, as well. McLaren's Australian is attempting a third consecutive win.

Short Race Importance

Alright, just over twenty minutes to go till the sprint race gets under way. Unless something goes wrong, it's greatest value is as an indication of what is to come, rather than significant in its itself, with just eight championship points awarded to the victor. However, second place here was enough for Verstappen to claim the title two years ago.

Max Verstappen claimed F1 world title following Pérez crashes out of the short race.