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Preamble

Philip is arriving soon to take you through today's short race (2pm GMT) and grid-setting session (18:00 GMT).

Real-Time Updates

Formation Lap Period

The warm-up lap has begun.

Circuit Details

There are 19 laps around the lengthiest track in F1, the commentator points out.

Countdown

The last moments is underway.

Driver Situation

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

Interview Updates

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

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

Starting Positions

There are only sixteen vehicles on the grid. This followed another poor grid-setting session for Lewis Hamilton: after coming 20th and last in Las Vegas, leading to an eighth position in the grand prix, he did not manage to advance of Q1 again on the previous day. The team have as a result made changes to his car configuration and so he begins from the pit lane.

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

Racer Statements

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

Team Standings

It's not all about the individual championship: The team have dominated the team championship but Mercedes, with a forty-point advantage over Red Bull, are aiming to secure the runner-up position this weekend. Russell can help them achieve that from second place, and Antonelli will start just behind Verstappen.

Past Performance

Piastri was victorious then – as he managed last year, as well. McLaren's Australian is going for a third consecutive win.

Sprint Race Value

Right, approximately 20 minutes to go until the sprint race begins. Barring disaster, it's greatest value is as an indication of what is to come, rather than highly important in its itself, with only eight points awarded to the winner. Mind you, second place in this race was sufficient for Verstappen to claim the title in a prior season.

The driver claimed F1 world title after Pérez crashes out of the short race.