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Preamble

The author will be here shortly to take you through today's sprint race (14:00 GMT) and qualifying (6pm).

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Formation Lap Period

The formation lap has started.

Track Information

There are 19 laps of the longest circuit in Formula One, the commentator informs us.

Countdown

The final countdown is underway.

Driver Situation

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

Interview Updates

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

The analyst is jumping ahead to the 2026 season, interviewing the engineer about his promotion to Aston Martin lead role.

Starting Positions

There are only sixteen vehicles on the grid. This followed another bad qualifying for the driver: after coming 20th and last in Las Vegas, leading to an eighth-place finish in the main race, he failed to make it out of the first qualifying segment once more on the previous day. Ferrari have consequently adjusted to his car configuration and so he will start from the pit lane.

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

Racer Statements

"We take the learning for tomorrow," says 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 team championship but Mercedes, with a forty-point advantage over their rivals, are aiming to secure the runner-up position during this event. George Russell can help them achieve that from second place, and Kimi Antonelli will begin immediately after the leader.

Past Performance

Oscar Piastri won that day – as he did last year, as well. McLaren's Australian is attempting a third consecutive win.

Sprint Race Value

Right, just over 20 minutes remaining until the short race gets under way. Barring disaster, its main importance 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 here was sufficient for the driver to become champion two years ago.

The driver claimed the championship after Pérez crashes out of the short race.