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Introduction

The author is about to begin to guide you through this day's short race (14:00 GMT) and grid-setting session (18:00 GMT).

Real-Time Updates

Formation Lap Time

The warm-up lap is underway.

Track Information

We have nineteen laps around the lengthiest track in F1, David Croft informs us.

Countdown

The countdown is underway.

Racer Positions

An advantage in Verstappen's advantage: his fellow driver Tsunoda is ahead of him by a single position. He is unlikely to mess with Red Bull's main man.

Media Conversations

Sky speaking with Sky currently: the analyst is at the Mercedes team.

Karun Chandhok is looking forward to the 2026 season, speaking with the engineer about his promotion to Aston Martin lead role.

Starting Positions

Just sixteen vehicles on the grid. This followed another poor grid-setting session for Lewis Hamilton: following his result of 20th and last in the previous race, resulting in an eighth position in the main race, he did not manage to make it out of Q1 again on Friday. The team have as a result made changes to his setup 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 experience for the next day," says Isack Hadjar, starting eleventh. There will be a lot of that.

Team Standings

It's not all about the individual championship: The team have run away with the team championship but Mercedes, with a forty-point advantage over Red Bull, will be hoping to secure the runner-up position during this event. Russell can help them achieve that from the front row, and Kimi Antonelli will begin immediately after Verstappen.

Past Performance

Oscar Piastri was victorious then – as he did last year, as well. McLaren's Australian is attempting a third consecutive win.

Short Race Importance

Alright, approximately twenty minutes remaining till the short race begins. Unless something goes wrong, it's greatest value is as an indication of what is to come, instead of highly important in its own right, with just eight championship points awarded to the winner. Mind you, the runner-up spot in this race was enough for the driver to become champion in a prior season.

Max Verstappen wins the championship following his teammate's accident of Qatar GP sprint race.