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Preamble

Philip is arriving soon to guide you through today's sprint race (2pm GMT) and qualifying (6pm).

Real-Time Updates

Starting Lap Period

The starting lap is underway.

Track Information

We have 19 laps around the lengthiest track in Formula 1, the commentator points out.

Countdown

The final countdown is underway.

Racer Positions

One point in Max Verstappen's favour: his fellow driver Tsunoda is in front of him by a single position. It's improbable to interfere with the team's main man.

Media Conversations

Sky interviewing Sky currently: the analyst is at the Mercedes team.

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

Grid Details

There are only 16 cars on the grid. It was another bad qualifying for Lewis Hamilton: after coming 20th and last in Las Vegas, resulting in an eighth position in the main race, he failed to advance of the first qualifying segment again on the previous day. The team have consequently made changes to his setup and so he will start from the starting area.

The team's Lance Stroll and the Alpine duo of Gasly and Colapinto are all doing likewise.

Driver Comments

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

Constructors' Championship

The focus isn't solely on the drivers' title: The team have dominated the constructors' gong but Mercedes, with a 40-point lead over their rivals, are aiming to seal second place during this event. George Russell can help them achieve that from second place, and Kimi Antonelli will start just behind Verstappen.

Past Performance

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

Sprint Race Value

Alright, just over twenty minutes remaining until the sprint race gets under way. Barring disaster, it's greatest value is as an indication of future events, rather than significant in its itself, with only eight points available to the winner. Mind you, second place here was sufficient for Verstappen to become champion in a prior season.

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