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Preamble

The author will be here shortly to guide you through this day's sprint race (14:00 GMT) and grid-setting session (6pm).

Real-Time Updates

Warm-Up Lap Time

The starting lap is underway.

Track Information

We have nineteen laps of the longest circuit in F1, David Croft reminds us.

Countdown

The final countdown is underway.

Driver Situation

An advantage in Max Verstappen's advantage: his teammate Yuki Tsunoda is ahead of him by one place. He is unlikely to challenge the team's lead driver.

Interview Updates

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

The analyst 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 did not manage to advance of the first qualifying segment once more on the previous day. The team have as a result adjusted to his car configuration and so he will start from the pit lane.

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

Driver Comments

"We'll use the learning for tomorrow," states Hadjar, starting eleventh. Expect a lot of that.

Constructors' Championship

It's not all about the drivers' title: The team have run away with the constructors' gong but Mercedes, with a 40-point lead over Red Bull, are aiming to secure the runner-up position this weekend. Russell can assist in this goal from the front row, and Kimi Antonelli will start just behind the leader.

Past Performance

Oscar Piastri was victorious then – as he managed last year, too. The driver from McLaren is going for a hat-trick.

Sprint Race Value

Right, approximately 20 minutes to go until the sprint race begins. Barring disaster, it's greatest value is as an indication of what is to come, instead of significant in its own right, with only eight points available to the winner. However, the runner-up spot here was sufficient for the driver to claim the title in a prior season.

The driver claimed the championship following Pérez crashes out of the short race.