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Preamble

The author will be here shortly to cover this day's sprint race (2pm GMT) and qualifying (18:00 GMT).

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Warm-Up Lap Time

The formation lap has begun.

Track Information

We have nineteen laps of the longest circuit in F1, the commentator informs us.

Countdown

The countdown has begun.

Driver Situation

An advantage in Verstappen's favour: his teammate Tsunoda is in front of him by one place. He is unlikely to mess with Red Bull's lead driver.

Interview Updates

Sky interviewing Sky now: the analyst is with Mercedes.

Karun Chandhok is jumping ahead to 2026, interviewing Adrian Newey about his promotion to Aston Martin lead role.

Starting Positions

Just 16 cars on the grid. This followed another poor grid-setting session for the driver: following his result of twentieth and final in the previous race, leading to an eighth-place finish in the grand prix, he failed to advance of Q1 again on the previous day. Ferrari have as a result adjusted to his setup and so he will start from the starting area.

Aston Martin's 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," says Isack Hadjar, 11th on the grid. Expect a lot of that.

Team Standings

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, will be hoping to secure the runner-up position this weekend. Russell can assist in this goal from the front row, and Antonelli will begin immediately after Verstappen.

Previous Results

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

Sprint Race Value

Right, just over 20 minutes remaining until the sprint race gets under way. Unless something goes wrong, its main importance is as an indication of future events, instead of highly important in its own right, with only eight points available to the winner. However, the runner-up spot here was enough for Verstappen to claim the title two years ago.

Max Verstappen claimed the championship after his teammate's accident of Qatar GP sprint race.