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Introduction

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

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Starting Lap Time

The formation lap is underway.

Circuit Details

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

Final Moments

The last moments has begun.

Racer Positions

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 lead driver.

Interview Updates

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

Karun Chandhok is jumping ahead to the 2026 season, speaking with Adrian Newey about his stepping up to Aston Martin lead role.

Starting Positions

There are only sixteen vehicles on the grid. It was another bad qualifying for the driver: following his result of 20th and last in the previous race, resulting in an eighth-place finish in the grand prix, he did not manage to make it out of the first qualifying segment again on Friday. The team have as a result adjusted to his setup and so he begins from the starting area.

The team's Lance Stroll and the Alpine duo of Pierre Gasly and Franco Colapinto are all doing likewise.

Driver Comments

"We'll use the experience for tomorrow," says Hadjar, starting eleventh. There will be plenty of learning.

Team Standings

The focus isn't solely on the individual championship: The team have run away with the team championship but the team, with a forty-point advantage over Red Bull, will be hoping to seal second place during this event. George Russell can assist in this goal from second place, and Kimi Antonelli will begin immediately after Verstappen.

Past Performance

Piastri was victorious then – as he managed last year, too. The driver from McLaren is going for a third consecutive win.

Short Race Importance

Alright, approximately twenty minutes to go till the short race gets under way. Barring disaster, its main importance is as a preview of what is to come, instead of significant in its itself, with only eight points awarded to the victor. Mind you, second place in this race was sufficient for Verstappen to become champion in a prior season.

The driver wins the championship after his teammate's accident of Qatar GP sprint race.