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Preamble

The author is arriving soon to take you through today's short race (14:00 GMT) and grid-setting session (6pm).

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Formation Lap Time

The formation lap is underway.

Track Information

There are nineteen laps around the lengthiest track in Formula 1, David Croft points out.

Countdown

The last moments is on.

Driver Situation

An advantage in Max Verstappen's advantage: his fellow driver Tsunoda is in front of him by one place. He is unlikely to challenge the team's main man.

Media Conversations

Sky speaking with Sky currently: Gary Neville is at the Mercedes team.

Karun Chandhok is jumping ahead to the 2026 season, interviewing Adrian Newey about his promotion to Aston Martin team principal.

Starting Positions

There are only sixteen vehicles on the grid. This followed another bad qualifying for the driver: after coming 20th and last in the previous race, leading to an eighth position in the grand prix, 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 begins from the pit lane.

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

Driver Comments

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

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 Red Bull, will be hoping to secure the runner-up position this weekend. George Russell can help them achieve that from second place, and Kimi Antonelli will start just behind Verstappen.

Previous Results

Oscar Piastri was victorious then – as he managed last year, as well. McLaren's Australian is going for a third consecutive win.

Short Race Importance

Alright, approximately 20 minutes to go until the short race gets under way. Unless something goes wrong, it's greatest value is as an indication of future events, rather than highly important in its own right, with only eight points awarded to the winner. However, the runner-up spot in this race was sufficient for the driver to claim the title two years ago.

Max Verstappen claimed the championship after his teammate's accident of Qatar GP sprint race.