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Preamble

Our correspondent is about to begin to guide you through this day's short race (14:00 GMT) and qualifying (18:00 GMT).

Real-Time Updates

Starting Lap Period

The starting lap has begun.

Track Information

We have 19 laps of the longest circuit in F1, the commentator points out.

Countdown

The last moments is underway.

Driver Situation

An advantage in Verstappen's advantage: his teammate Yuki Tsunoda is in front of him by one place. He is unlikely to interfere with Red Bull's main man.

Interview Updates

Sky interviewing Sky now: Gary Neville is with Mercedes.

The analyst is looking forward to the 2026 season, interviewing the engineer about his promotion to Aston Martin lead role.

Grid Details

Just 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-place finish in the grand prix, he did not manage to make it out of the first qualifying segment once more on Friday. The team have as a result adjusted to his setup and so he will start from the starting area.

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

Racer Statements

"We take the learning for the next day," states Hadjar, 11th on the grid. There will be plenty of learning.

Constructors' Championship

The focus isn't solely on the drivers' title: McLaren have dominated the team championship but Mercedes, with a forty-point advantage over their rivals, are aiming to secure the runner-up position during this event. George Russell can help them achieve that from second place, and Antonelli will start just behind Verstappen.

Previous Results

Piastri won that day – as he did last year, as well. McLaren's Australian is attempting a hat-trick.

Sprint Race Value

Alright, just over twenty minutes to go until the sprint race gets under way. Barring disaster, it's greatest value is as a preview of future events, rather than highly important in its own right, with only eight points available to the winner. Mind you, second place in this race was sufficient for Verstappen to become champion in a prior season.

The driver claimed F1 world title following his teammate's accident of the short race.