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Opening Notes

The author is arriving soon to cover this day's short race (2pm GMT) and qualifying (6pm).

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Starting Lap Period

The formation lap has started.

Track Information

We have nineteen laps of the longest circuit in Formula One, the commentator informs us.

Countdown

The last moments is on.

Racer Positions

One point in Max Verstappen's favour: his teammate Tsunoda is in front of him by one place. He is unlikely to mess with Red Bull's main man.

Interview Updates

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

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

Grid Details

Just sixteen vehicles on the grid. This followed another poor grid-setting session for the driver: following his result of twentieth and final in Las Vegas, leading to an eighth position in the main race, he failed to make it out of the first qualifying segment once more on Friday. Ferrari have consequently made changes to his car configuration and so he begins from the pit lane.

The team's Stroll and the Alpine pair of Gasly and Colapinto are all starting from the same position.

Racer Statements

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

Constructors' Championship

The focus isn't solely on the drivers' title: The team have run away with the constructors' gong but the team, with a 40-point lead over their rivals, are aiming to secure the runner-up position this weekend. George Russell can assist in this goal from the front row, and Kimi Antonelli will start just behind Verstappen.

Previous Results

Piastri won that day – as he did the previous season, as well. The driver from McLaren is going for a third consecutive win.

Short Race Importance

Alright, approximately twenty minutes remaining until the short race gets under way. Barring disaster, it's greatest value is as an indication of future events, instead of highly important in its itself, with only eight points available to the winner. Mind you, second place in this race was enough for Verstappen to claim the title two years ago.

Max Verstappen wins F1 world title following Pérez crashes out of the short race.