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Introduction

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

Real-Time Updates

Formation Lap Time

The warm-up lap has started.

Circuit Details

There are nineteen laps around the lengthiest track in Formula 1, David Croft informs us.

Countdown

The last moments has begun.

Racer Positions

One point in Max Verstappen's advantage: his fellow driver Yuki Tsunoda is ahead of him by one place. He is unlikely to challenge the team's main man.

Media Conversations

Sky speaking with Sky now: Gary Neville is at the Mercedes team.

Karun Chandhok is jumping ahead to 2026, speaking with Adrian Newey about his stepping up to the team team principal.

Grid Details

Just sixteen vehicles on the grid. This followed another poor grid-setting session for Lewis Hamilton: after coming twentieth and final in the previous race, leading to an eighth-place finish in the grand prix, he failed to advance of the first qualifying segment once more on the previous day. The team have as a result made changes to his car configuration and so he will start from the starting area.

The team's Lance Stroll and the Alpine pair of Pierre Gasly and Colapinto are all starting from the same position.

Driver Comments

"We'll use the experience for tomorrow," says Hadjar, starting eleventh. Expect a lot of that.

Team Standings

The focus isn't solely on the individual championship: The team have run away with the constructors' gong but Mercedes, with a forty-point advantage over their rivals, will be hoping to seal second place during this event. George Russell can assist in this goal from second place, and Antonelli will start just behind the leader.

Previous Results

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

Sprint Race Value

Alright, just over 20 minutes remaining till the sprint race gets under way. Unless something goes wrong, its main importance is as an indication of what is to come, rather than highly important in its own right, with only eight points awarded to the winner. However, the runner-up spot in this race was enough for Verstappen to become champion two years ago.

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