🔗 Share this article

Preamble

The author is arriving soon to take you through today's short race (14:00 GMT) and grid-setting session (6pm).

Real-Time Updates

Starting Lap Time

The warm-up lap is underway.

Circuit Details

We have nineteen laps of the longest circuit in Formula 1, David Croft points out.

Final Moments

The countdown has begun.

Driver Situation

One point in Max Verstappen's advantage: his teammate Yuki Tsunoda is ahead of him by a single position. It's improbable to interfere with the team's lead driver.

Media Conversations

Sky's internal discussion currently: the analyst is with Mercedes.

The analyst is looking forward to the 2026 season, speaking with the engineer about his stepping up to the team lead role.

Grid Details

Just 16 cars on the grid. It was another bad qualifying for Lewis Hamilton: following his result of twentieth and final in Las Vegas, leading to an eighth-place finish in the grand prix, he did not manage to make it out of the first qualifying segment once more on the previous day. The team have as a result adjusted to his car configuration and so he will start from the starting area.

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

Racer Statements

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

Team Standings

It's not all about the drivers' title: McLaren have run away with the team championship but the team, with a forty-point advantage over Red Bull, are aiming to seal second place during this event. George Russell can assist in this goal from second place, and Antonelli will begin immediately after the leader.

Past Performance

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

Short Race Importance

Alright, approximately twenty minutes to go till the sprint race begins. Unless something goes wrong, it's greatest value is as an indication of what is to come, rather than significant in its own right, with only eight points awarded to the victor. Mind you, the runner-up spot in this race was enough for the driver to become champion two years ago.

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