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Preamble

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

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Formation Lap Time

The formation lap has started.

Circuit Details

We have 19 laps of the longest circuit in Formula One, David Croft points out.

Countdown

The countdown is on.

Racer Positions

An advantage in Max Verstappen's advantage: his fellow driver Tsunoda is ahead of him by one place. He is unlikely to mess with Red Bull's main man.

Media Conversations

Sky speaking with Sky now: Gary Neville is with Mercedes.

The analyst is looking forward to 2026, interviewing the engineer about his stepping up to the team lead role.

Starting Positions

There are only sixteen vehicles on the grid. It was 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 main race, he did not manage to advance of Q1 again on Friday. The team have as a result made changes to his car configuration and so he begins from the pit lane.

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

Driver Comments

"We'll use the experience for tomorrow," says Hadjar, 11th on the grid. Expect a lot of that.

Constructors' Championship

It's not all about the individual championship: The team have run away with the constructors' gong but the team, with a 40-point lead over Red Bull, will be hoping to seal second place this weekend. 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 did the previous season, too. The driver from McLaren is going for a hat-trick.

Sprint Race Value

Alright, just over twenty minutes remaining until the short race begins. Unless something goes wrong, its main importance is as a preview of future events, rather than significant in its itself, with just eight championship points available to the victor. Mind you, the runner-up spot here was enough for the driver to claim the title two years ago.

Max Verstappen wins the championship after Pérez crashes out of Qatar GP sprint race.