🔗 Share this article

Preamble

Our correspondent is arriving soon to cover this day's short race (2pm GMT) and grid-setting session (18:00 GMT).

Live Feed

Warm-Up Lap Period

The formation lap is underway.

Track Information

We have 19 laps around the lengthiest track in Formula 1, the commentator informs us.

Final Moments

The final countdown is underway.

Racer Positions

One point in Verstappen's favour: his teammate Tsunoda is ahead of him by one place. It's improbable to interfere with the team's lead driver.

Media Conversations

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

The analyst is jumping ahead to 2026, interviewing the engineer about his promotion to Aston Martin team principal.

Grid Details

Just sixteen vehicles on the grid. This followed another poor grid-setting session for the driver: following his result of twentieth and final in the previous race, resulting in an eighth-place finish in the main race, he failed to advance of the first qualifying segment again on Friday. Ferrari have consequently adjusted to his setup and so he begins from the starting area.

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

Racer Statements

"We take the experience for tomorrow," states Isack Hadjar, starting eleventh. There will be a lot of that.

Constructors' Championship

The focus isn't solely on the drivers' title: McLaren have run away with the constructors' gong but the team, with a 40-point lead over their rivals, are aiming to secure the runner-up position this weekend. George Russell can assist in this goal from the front row, and Kimi Antonelli will begin immediately after Verstappen.

Past Performance

Piastri won that day – as he managed last year, as well. The driver from McLaren is going for a third consecutive win.

Short Race Importance

Alright, just over 20 minutes remaining till the sprint race gets under way. Unless something goes wrong, it's greatest value is as a preview of what is to come, rather than significant in its own right, with only eight points awarded to the winner. Mind you, second place in this race was enough for Verstappen to claim the title in a prior season.

The driver wins F1 world title after Pérez crashes out of the short race.