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Preamble

Philip is about to begin to take you through this day's short race (14:00 GMT) and qualifying (6pm).

Current Events

Warm-Up Lap Period

The formation lap has begun.

Circuit Details

There are nineteen laps around the lengthiest track in Formula One, the commentator points out.

Countdown

The final countdown is on.

Racer Positions

One point in Max Verstappen's advantage: his fellow driver Tsunoda is in front of him by one place. He is unlikely to mess with the team's lead driver.

Interview Updates

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

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

Starting Positions

There are only sixteen vehicles on the grid. It was another bad qualifying for Lewis Hamilton: after coming twentieth and final in the previous race, resulting in an eighth-place finish in the grand prix, he did not manage to advance of Q1 once more on Friday. The team have as a result made changes to his car configuration and so he will start from the pit lane.

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

Driver Comments

"We'll use the learning for tomorrow," says Hadjar, 11th on the grid. There will be plenty of learning.

Constructors' Championship

The focus isn't solely on the drivers' title: McLaren have run away with the constructors' gong but Mercedes, with a forty-point advantage over their rivals, are aiming to secure the runner-up position during this event. George Russell can help them achieve that from second place, and Kimi Antonelli will begin immediately after the leader.

Previous Results

Piastri won that day – as he did last year, as well. McLaren's Australian is going for a third consecutive win.

Short Race Importance

Alright, approximately 20 minutes to go till the short race begins. Unless something goes wrong, its main importance is as an indication of future events, instead of significant in its itself, with just eight championship points awarded to the winner. However, second place in this race was sufficient for the driver to claim the title two years ago.

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