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Opening Notes

Our correspondent is about to begin to guide you through today's short race (14:00 GMT) and qualifying (18:00 GMT).

Current Events

Formation Lap Time

The warm-up lap is underway.

Circuit Details

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

Final Moments

The final countdown is on.

Driver Situation

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

Media Conversations

Sky speaking with Sky now: Gary Neville is with Mercedes.

The analyst is jumping ahead to 2026, speaking with Adrian Newey about his stepping up to Aston Martin lead role.

Starting Positions

Just 16 cars on the grid. This followed another poor grid-setting session for the driver: following his result of twentieth and final in the previous race, leading to an eighth position in the main race, he did not manage to advance of the first qualifying segment again on the previous day. The team have as a result adjusted to his car configuration and so he begins from the starting area.

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

Driver Comments

"We'll use the learning for tomorrow," states Isack Hadjar, starting eleventh. There will be plenty of learning.

Constructors' Championship

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

Past Performance

Piastri won that day – as he managed the previous season, as well. McLaren's Australian is attempting a third consecutive win.

Short Race Importance

Right, just over twenty minutes remaining until the short race gets under way. Unless something goes wrong, it's greatest value is as an indication of future events, instead of highly important in its own right, with only eight points available to the victor. Mind you, the runner-up spot in this race was sufficient for the driver to become champion in a prior season.

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