🔗 Share this article

Preamble

Our correspondent is arriving soon to cover this day's sprint race (2pm GMT) and grid-setting session (6pm).

Real-Time Updates

Starting Lap Time

The formation lap has begun.

Circuit Details

We have 19 laps of the longest circuit in Formula 1, David Croft points out.

Countdown

The countdown is on.

Racer Positions

One point in Verstappen's favour: his teammate Tsunoda is in front of him by one place. It's improbable to challenge Red Bull's main man.

Media Conversations

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

Karun Chandhok is looking forward to 2026, interviewing the engineer about his promotion to the team team principal.

Grid Details

There are only sixteen vehicles on the grid. It was another bad qualifying for the driver: following his result of twentieth and final in Las Vegas, resulting in an eighth position in the grand prix, he failed to advance of the first qualifying segment once more on the previous day. Ferrari have as a result adjusted to his car configuration and so he will start from the pit lane.

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

Driver Comments

"We'll use the experience for the next day," states Hadjar, starting eleventh. There will be plenty of learning.

Team Standings

It's not all about the drivers' title: McLaren have dominated the constructors' gong but the team, with a forty-point advantage over their rivals, are aiming to secure the runner-up position during this event. Russell can assist in this goal from second place, and Kimi Antonelli will begin immediately after the leader.

Previous Results

Oscar Piastri was victorious then – as he did the previous season, too. McLaren's Australian is attempting a third consecutive win.

Sprint Race Value

Alright, just over twenty minutes remaining until the short race gets under way. Barring disaster, it's greatest value is as an indication of future events, rather than significant in its own right, with just eight championship points awarded to the victor. Mind you, second place in this race was enough for Verstappen to become champion in a prior season.

Max Verstappen claimed F1 world title after Pérez crashes out of the short race.