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Preamble

Our correspondent is arriving soon to guide you through today's short race (14:00 GMT) and qualifying (6pm).

Real-Time Updates

Warm-Up Lap Time

The starting lap has begun.

Track Information

We have 19 laps around the lengthiest track in Formula One, David Croft points out.

Countdown

The last moments is underway.

Driver Situation

An advantage in Max Verstappen's favour: his fellow driver Yuki Tsunoda is ahead of him by a single position. It's improbable to mess with Red Bull's lead driver.

Media Conversations

Sky's internal discussion currently: the analyst is with Mercedes.

The analyst is jumping ahead to 2026, speaking with Adrian Newey about his stepping up to Aston Martin team principal.

Starting Positions

There are only 16 cars on the grid. It was another poor grid-setting session for Lewis Hamilton: following his result of 20th and last in Las Vegas, resulting in an eighth position in the main race, he did not manage to make it out of the first qualifying segment once more on the previous day. The team have as a result adjusted to his car configuration 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 experience for the next day," says Hadjar, 11th on the grid. There will be plenty of learning.

Team Standings

It's not all about the drivers' title: The team have run away with the constructors' gong but the team, with a forty-point advantage over their rivals, will be hoping to secure the runner-up position during this event. George Russell can help them achieve that from the front row, and Antonelli will begin immediately after the leader.

Past Performance

Piastri was victorious then – as he did the previous season, too. McLaren's Australian is going for a third consecutive win.

Short Race Importance

Alright, approximately 20 minutes to go till the sprint race gets under way. Unless something goes wrong, its main importance is as a preview of what is to come, rather than significant in its itself, with only eight points awarded to the winner. However, the runner-up spot here was enough for Verstappen to claim the title in a prior season.

The driver claimed F1 world title following Pérez crashes out of the short race.