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Preamble

The author will be here shortly to take you through this day's short race (14:00 GMT) and grid-setting session (18:00 GMT).

Real-Time Updates

Formation Lap Time

The warm-up lap has begun.

Circuit Details

We have nineteen laps around the lengthiest track in F1, David Croft points out.

Countdown

The last moments is on.

Racer Positions

An advantage in Verstappen's favour: his teammate Yuki Tsunoda is ahead of him by a single position. He is unlikely to mess with the team's main man.

Media Conversations

Sky interviewing Sky now: Gary Neville is with Mercedes.

Karun Chandhok is jumping ahead to the 2026 season, 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-place finish in the main race, he did not manage to make it out of Q1 once more on Friday. The team have consequently adjusted to his setup and so he begins from the pit lane.

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

Racer Statements

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

Team Standings

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 Red Bull, will be hoping to secure the runner-up position this weekend. Russell can assist in this goal from second place, and Kimi Antonelli will start just behind the leader.

Past Performance

Piastri was victorious then – as he did last year, as well. The driver from McLaren is going for a third consecutive win.

Short Race Importance

Right, approximately twenty minutes to go till the short race begins. Barring disaster, it's greatest value is as a preview of what is to come, rather than significant in its own right, with just eight championship points available to the winner. However, the runner-up spot in this race was sufficient for the driver to claim the title two years ago.

The driver claimed the championship following his teammate's accident of the short race.