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Opening Notes

Philip is about to begin to cover today's sprint race (14:00 GMT) and qualifying (6pm).

Current Events

Starting Lap Period

The starting lap is underway.

Circuit Details

We have 19 laps around the lengthiest track in Formula One, David Croft informs us.

Countdown

The last moments has begun.

Driver Situation

One point in Max Verstappen's advantage: his teammate Yuki Tsunoda is ahead of him by one place. He is unlikely to mess with Red Bull's main man.

Interview Updates

Sky's internal discussion now: Gary Neville is at the Mercedes team.

Karun Chandhok is looking forward to the 2026 season, interviewing Adrian Newey about his stepping up to Aston Martin team principal.

Starting Positions

Just sixteen vehicles on the grid. This followed another poor grid-setting session for the driver: after coming 20th and last in Las Vegas, resulting in an eighth-place finish in the grand prix, he did not manage to make it out of the first qualifying segment once more on Friday. Ferrari have consequently made changes to his car configuration and so he will start from the starting area.

Aston Martin's Stroll and the Alpine duo of Gasly and Colapinto are all doing likewise.

Racer Statements

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

Constructors' Championship

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

Past Performance

Piastri was victorious then – as he did the previous season, too. The driver from McLaren is going for a hat-trick.

Short Race Importance

Alright, approximately 20 minutes remaining till the sprint race begins. Barring disaster, it's greatest value is as an indication of what is to come, rather than highly important in its own right, with only eight points available to the victor. Mind you, second place here was enough for the driver to become champion in a prior season.

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