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Introduction

Philip is arriving soon to take you through this day's short race (2pm GMT) and grid-setting session (18:00 GMT).

Real-Time Updates

Warm-Up Lap Time

The warm-up lap has started.

Circuit Details

We have 19 laps of the longest circuit in Formula One, the commentator reminds us.

Final Moments

The final countdown is on.

Driver Situation

One point in Verstappen's advantage: his teammate Tsunoda is ahead of him by a single position. He is unlikely to challenge Red Bull's main man.

Media Conversations

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

Karun Chandhok is jumping ahead to 2026, speaking with Adrian Newey about his promotion to Aston Martin team principal.

Starting Positions

There are only 16 cars on the grid. This followed another poor grid-setting session for the driver: after coming twentieth and final in the previous race, leading to an eighth position in the grand prix, he did not manage to make it out of Q1 again on the previous day. Ferrari have as a result adjusted to his setup and so he will start from the starting area.

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

Racer Statements

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

Constructors' Championship

It's not all about the drivers' title: The team have run away with the team championship but Mercedes, with a forty-point advantage over Red Bull, will be hoping to seal second place during this event. George Russell can help them achieve that from second place, and Kimi Antonelli will begin immediately after Verstappen.

Previous Results

Piastri won that day – as he managed last year, too. The driver from McLaren is attempting a hat-trick.

Sprint Race Value

Right, just over twenty minutes to go until the sprint race begins. Unless something goes wrong, it's greatest value is as a preview of future events, rather than highly important in its own right, with just eight championship points awarded to the winner. However, second place in this race was enough for the driver to claim the title two years ago.

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