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Opening Notes

The author is arriving soon to take you through this day's short race (14:00 GMT) and qualifying (6pm).

Real-Time Updates

Warm-Up Lap Period

The starting lap has started.

Circuit Details

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

Countdown

The final countdown has begun.

Racer Positions

One point in Max Verstappen's favour: his fellow driver Tsunoda is in front of him by one place. It's improbable to challenge Red Bull's main man.

Media Conversations

Sky's internal discussion now: Gary Neville is at the Mercedes team.

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

Starting Positions

Just sixteen vehicles on the grid. This followed another poor grid-setting session for Lewis Hamilton: following his result of 20th and last in the previous race, leading to an eighth-place finish in the grand prix, he did not manage to make it out of the first qualifying segment again on Friday. The team have as a result made changes to his car configuration and so he begins from the pit lane.

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

Driver Comments

"We take the learning for the next day," says Hadjar, 11th on the grid. There will be a lot of that.

Constructors' Championship

It's not all about the drivers' title: McLaren have dominated the team championship but the team, with a forty-point advantage over Red Bull, are aiming to secure the runner-up position this weekend. George Russell can help them achieve that from the front row, and Kimi Antonelli will begin immediately after Verstappen.

Past Performance

Oscar Piastri was victorious then – as he managed the previous season, as well. McLaren's Australian 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 a preview of future events, rather than highly important in its itself, with just eight championship points awarded to the winner. Mind you, second place here was enough for the driver to become champion in a prior season.

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