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Introduction

The author is about to begin to take you through today's sprint race (14:00 GMT) and qualifying (6pm).

Real-Time Updates

Starting Lap Time

The starting lap has begun.

Track Information

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

Final Moments

The final countdown is underway.

Driver Situation

An advantage in Max Verstappen's advantage: his fellow driver Tsunoda is in front of him by a single position. It's improbable to interfere with the team's lead driver.

Media Conversations

Sky speaking with Sky currently: the analyst is with Mercedes.

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

Starting Positions

There are only sixteen vehicles on the grid. It was another poor grid-setting session for the driver: following his result of 20th and last in the previous race, resulting in an eighth-place finish in the grand prix, he failed to make it out of the first qualifying segment again on Friday. The team have consequently made changes to his setup and so he will start from the starting area.

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

Driver Comments

"We take the learning for the next day," states Hadjar, starting eleventh. Expect a lot of that.

Constructors' Championship

The focus isn't solely on the drivers' title: The team have dominated the team championship but the team, with a 40-point lead over Red Bull, are aiming to seal second place this weekend. Russell can assist in this goal from the front row, and Antonelli will begin immediately after the leader.

Previous Results

Oscar Piastri was victorious then – as he managed the previous season, too. The driver from McLaren is going for a hat-trick.

Sprint Race Value

Alright, just over twenty minutes remaining till the short race begins. Barring disaster, it's greatest value is as an indication of what is to come, rather than significant in its own right, with just eight championship points awarded to the winner. However, the runner-up spot here was sufficient for the driver to claim the title in a prior season.

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