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Preamble

Our correspondent will be here shortly to take you through today's sprint race (2pm GMT) and qualifying (18:00 GMT).

Real-Time Updates

Formation Lap Period

The formation lap is underway.

Circuit Details

We have nineteen laps of the longest circuit in Formula 1, the commentator reminds us.

Final Moments

The last moments is on.

Racer Positions

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

Media Conversations

Sky speaking with Sky now: the analyst is at the Mercedes team.

Karun Chandhok is jumping ahead to 2026, interviewing the engineer about his promotion to the team lead role.

Starting Positions

Just sixteen vehicles on the grid. This followed another poor grid-setting session for Lewis Hamilton: following his result of 20th and last in the previous race, resulting in an eighth-place finish in the main race, he failed to make it out of Q1 once more on Friday. The team have as a result adjusted to his car configuration and so he begins from the pit lane.

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

Racer Statements

"We take the learning for tomorrow," says Isack 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 team championship but the team, with a 40-point lead over Red Bull, will be hoping to secure the runner-up position during this event. George Russell can help them achieve that from second place, and Kimi Antonelli will start just behind the leader.

Past Performance

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

Sprint Race Value

Alright, approximately twenty minutes to go until the sprint race begins. Barring disaster, its main importance is as a preview of future events, rather than significant in its own right, with just eight championship points available to the victor. Mind you, second place here was sufficient for Verstappen to claim the title two years ago.

The driver wins the championship after Pérez crashes out of Qatar GP sprint race.