🔗 Share this article

Introduction

Our correspondent will be here shortly to guide you through this day's short race (2pm GMT) and grid-setting session (6pm).

Current Events

Formation Lap Time

The formation lap has begun.

Track Information

There are 19 laps around the lengthiest track in F1, the commentator reminds us.

Countdown

The final countdown is on.

Driver Situation

An advantage in Max Verstappen's favour: his teammate Yuki Tsunoda is ahead of him by one place. It's improbable to mess with the team's lead driver.

Media Conversations

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

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

Grid Details

Just sixteen vehicles on the grid. It was another poor grid-setting session for Lewis Hamilton: after coming twentieth and final in Las Vegas, resulting in an eighth position in the grand prix, he did not manage to advance of the first qualifying segment once more on the previous day. Ferrari have consequently made changes to his setup and so he begins from the pit lane.

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

Driver Comments

"We take the experience for tomorrow," states Hadjar, starting eleventh. Expect plenty of learning.

Team Standings

It's not all about the drivers' title: McLaren have run away with the constructors' gong but the team, with a 40-point lead over Red Bull, are aiming to secure the runner-up position this weekend. Russell can help them achieve that from second place, and Kimi Antonelli will begin immediately after the leader.

Previous Results

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

Sprint Race Value

Right, just over 20 minutes remaining until the short race gets under way. Unless something goes wrong, it's greatest value is as an indication of what is to come, instead of significant in its itself, with only eight points available to the winner. Mind you, the runner-up spot here was sufficient for the driver to become champion in a prior season.

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