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Preamble

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

Real-Time Updates

Starting Lap Time

The warm-up lap is underway.

Track Information

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

Countdown

The final countdown has begun.

Driver Situation

One point in Max Verstappen's favour: his fellow driver Tsunoda is in front of him by one place. He is unlikely to interfere with the team's lead driver.

Media Conversations

Sky interviewing Sky now: the analyst is with Mercedes.

Karun Chandhok is jumping ahead to 2026, interviewing Adrian Newey about his promotion to Aston Martin team principal.

Starting Positions

There are only 16 cars on the grid. It was another poor grid-setting session for the driver: following his result of twentieth and final in Las Vegas, resulting in 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. The team have as a result made changes to his car configuration and so he begins from the pit lane.

Aston Martin's Stroll and the Alpine duo of Pierre Gasly and Franco Colapinto are all starting from the same position.

Racer Statements

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

Team Standings

The focus isn't solely on the drivers' title: The team have dominated the constructors' gong but the team, with a 40-point lead over Red Bull, will be hoping to secure the runner-up position during this event. George Russell can assist in this goal from the front row, and Kimi Antonelli will start just behind the leader.

Past Performance

Piastri won that day – as he managed the previous season, as well. McLaren's Australian is going for a hat-trick.

Short Race Importance

Alright, just over twenty minutes to go until the sprint race begins. Unless something goes wrong, it's greatest value is as a preview of what is to come, rather than significant in its own right, with just eight championship points available to the victor. However, second place in this race was enough for Verstappen to become champion in a prior season.

Max Verstappen claimed F1 world title after Pérez crashes out of the short race.