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Opening Notes

Philip will be here shortly to guide you through today's short race (14:00 GMT) and qualifying (18:00 GMT).

Real-Time Updates

Starting Lap Period

The warm-up lap is underway.

Circuit Details

There are nineteen laps of the longest circuit in Formula One, David Croft informs us.

Final Moments

The countdown is underway.

Driver Situation

One point in Verstappen's advantage: his teammate Tsunoda is ahead of him by a single position. It's improbable to challenge Red Bull's lead driver.

Media Conversations

Sky's internal discussion currently: the analyst is with Mercedes.

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

Starting Positions

There are only 16 cars on the grid. It was another poor grid-setting session for the driver: after coming twentieth and final in the previous race, leading to an eighth-place finish in the grand prix, he did not manage to advance of the first qualifying segment once more on Friday. Ferrari have as a result adjusted to his setup and so he begins from the pit lane.

Aston Martin's Stroll and the Alpine pair of Gasly and Colapinto are all doing likewise.

Driver Comments

"We'll use the learning for the next day," states Isack Hadjar, 11th on the grid. There will be 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 forty-point advantage over Red Bull, will be hoping to secure the runner-up position during this event. Russell can assist in this goal from second place, and Antonelli will start just behind Verstappen.

Previous Results

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

Sprint Race Value

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

Max Verstappen wins F1 world title following Pérez crashes out of the short race.