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Preamble

Our correspondent is arriving soon to guide you through today's sprint race (14:00 GMT) and qualifying (6pm).

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Starting Lap Period

The starting lap has begun.

Circuit Details

We have nineteen laps around the lengthiest track in Formula 1, David Croft informs us.

Final Moments

The last moments is underway.

Racer Positions

One point in Max Verstappen's favour: his teammate Yuki Tsunoda is in front of him by a single position. He is unlikely to mess with Red Bull's main man.

Interview Updates

Sky's internal discussion currently: Gary Neville is with Mercedes.

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

Starting Positions

Just sixteen vehicles on the grid. It was another poor grid-setting session for the driver: following his result of 20th and last in Las Vegas, leading to an eighth-place finish in the grand prix, he did not manage to make it out of the first qualifying segment once more on the previous day. Ferrari have as a result made changes to his setup and so he begins 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.

Racer Statements

"We take the learning for the next day," says Isack Hadjar, 11th on the grid. There will be a lot of that.

Constructors' Championship

It's not all about the drivers' title: McLaren have run away with the team championship but the team, with a 40-point lead over Red Bull, will be hoping to secure the runner-up position during this event. Russell can help them achieve that from the front row, and Kimi Antonelli will start just behind Verstappen.

Previous Results

Piastri won that day – as he did last year, as well. The driver from McLaren is attempting a third consecutive win.

Sprint Race Value

Right, just over 20 minutes remaining until the short race gets under way. Unless something goes wrong, its main importance is as a preview of future events, instead of highly important in its own right, with only eight points awarded to the victor. However, the runner-up spot here was enough for the driver to claim the title in a prior season.

The driver claimed F1 world title following Pérez crashes out of Qatar GP sprint race.