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Preamble

Philip is about to begin to take you through today's short race (2pm GMT) and qualifying (18:00 GMT).

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Formation Lap Period

The formation lap has begun.

Circuit Details

There are 19 laps of the longest circuit in F1, the commentator points out.

Countdown

The final countdown is on.

Racer Positions

An advantage in Verstappen's favour: his teammate Yuki Tsunoda is in front of him by one place. It's improbable to challenge Red Bull's lead driver.

Media Conversations

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

The analyst is jumping ahead to 2026, speaking with Adrian Newey about his promotion to Aston Martin team principal.

Starting Positions

There are only sixteen vehicles on the grid. It was another poor grid-setting session for the driver: after coming twentieth and final in Las Vegas, leading to an eighth position in the grand prix, he failed to advance of Q1 again on Friday. The team have consequently made changes to his car configuration and so he will start from the pit lane.

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 learning for the next day," states Isack Hadjar, starting eleventh. Expect plenty of learning.

Constructors' Championship

It's not all about the individual championship: The team have run away with the constructors' gong but the team, with a forty-point advantage over Red Bull, are aiming to seal second place during this event. 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 last year, too. The driver from McLaren is attempting a third consecutive win.

Sprint Race Value

Alright, approximately 20 minutes to go until the sprint race gets under way. Unless something goes wrong, it's greatest value is as an indication of what is to come, instead of significant in its own right, with only eight points awarded to the winner. Mind you, the runner-up spot in this race was sufficient for Verstappen to become champion two years ago.

The driver claimed F1 world title after his teammate's accident of the short race.