🔗 Share this article

Preamble

The author will be here shortly to guide you through today's sprint race (14:00 GMT) and grid-setting session (18:00 GMT).

Live Feed

Warm-Up Lap Period

The warm-up lap is underway.

Track Information

We have nineteen laps around the lengthiest track in Formula One, the commentator reminds us.

Countdown

The last moments is underway.

Driver Situation

One point in Max Verstappen's advantage: his teammate Tsunoda is in front of him by one place. He is unlikely to interfere with Red Bull's lead driver.

Media Conversations

Sky speaking with Sky now: the analyst is with Mercedes.

Karun Chandhok is jumping ahead to the 2026 season, speaking with Adrian Newey about his stepping up to the team team principal.

Grid Details

Just 16 cars on the grid. It was another poor grid-setting session for the driver: following his result of 20th and last in Las Vegas, resulting in an eighth-place finish in the grand prix, he failed to make it out of the first qualifying segment once more on the previous day. The team have as a result made changes to his car configuration and so he will start from the pit lane.

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

Driver Comments

"We'll use the learning for tomorrow," says Hadjar, 11th on the grid. There will be plenty of learning.

Constructors' Championship

It's not all about the drivers' title: McLaren have run away with the constructors' gong but Mercedes, with a 40-point lead 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 the leader.

Previous Results

Piastri was victorious then – as he managed the previous season, as well. McLaren's Australian is going for a third consecutive win.

Short Race Importance

Alright, just over 20 minutes to go until the sprint race begins. Barring disaster, it's greatest value is as an indication of future events, instead of significant in its own right, with only eight points available to the victor. Mind you, second place in this race was enough for the driver to become champion in a prior season.

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