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Opening Notes

Our correspondent will be here shortly to cover today's sprint race (14:00 GMT) and qualifying (6pm).

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Formation Lap Period

The starting lap has started.

Circuit Details

We have 19 laps of the longest circuit in F1, the commentator informs us.

Final Moments

The countdown has begun.

Racer Positions

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

Media Conversations

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

Karun Chandhok is looking forward to 2026, speaking with Adrian Newey about his stepping up to the team lead role.

Grid Details

There are only 16 cars on the grid. It was another poor grid-setting session for the driver: after coming 20th and last in the previous race, leading to an eighth-place finish in the main race, he failed to advance of the first qualifying segment once more on Friday. The team have as a result made changes to his car configuration and so he will start from the pit lane.

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

Racer Statements

"We take the learning for tomorrow," says Isack Hadjar, starting eleventh. Expect plenty of learning.

Constructors' Championship

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

Past Performance

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

Short Race Importance

Right, just over twenty minutes remaining until the short race begins. Barring disaster, it's greatest value is as an indication of what is to come, rather than highly important in its own right, with just eight championship points awarded to the victor. However, second place in this race was sufficient for Verstappen to become champion two years ago.

Max Verstappen wins the championship following Pérez crashes out of the short race.