🔗 Share this article

Opening Notes

Our correspondent is about to begin to cover today's sprint race (14:00 GMT) and grid-setting session (18:00 GMT).

Live Feed

Starting Lap Period

The starting lap is underway.

Circuit Details

There are 19 laps of the longest circuit in Formula 1, the commentator reminds us.

Countdown

The countdown has begun.

Racer Positions

One point in Verstappen's favour: his fellow driver Tsunoda is ahead of him by a single position. He is unlikely to mess with the team's main man.

Media Conversations

Sky's internal discussion currently: Gary Neville is with Mercedes.

The analyst is jumping ahead to the 2026 season, interviewing Adrian Newey about his promotion to the team team principal.

Starting Positions

There are only 16 cars on the grid. It was another bad qualifying for Lewis Hamilton: following his result of twentieth and final in the previous race, leading to an eighth position in the grand prix, he did not manage to advance of the first qualifying segment again on the previous day. Ferrari have consequently adjusted to his setup and so he begins from the starting area.

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

Racer Statements

"We take the learning for the next day," says Isack Hadjar, starting eleventh. Expect a lot of that.

Team Standings

The focus isn't solely on the drivers' title: McLaren have run away with the team championship but Mercedes, 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 second place, and Antonelli will begin immediately after Verstappen.

Past Performance

Oscar Piastri won that day – as he did the previous season, as well. The driver from McLaren is going for a hat-trick.

Short Race Importance

Alright, approximately 20 minutes to go until the sprint race gets under way. Unless something goes wrong, its main importance is as an indication of future events, instead of highly important in its own right, with just eight championship points available to the victor. However, the runner-up spot in this race was sufficient for Verstappen to become champion two years ago.

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