F1 British Grand Prix sprint race LIVE: Qualifying results and reaction today

Sergio Perez is off! He spins off the track and tumbles down to 19th!

Come for Verstappen taking Hamilton on the pit straight, stay for Fernando Alonso climbing six spots to fifth in the opening lap.

Verstappen looks to have regained his speed and the Red Bull sets a fastest lap after Hamilton had looked to put the pressure on.

There was contact between Russell and Sainz. The Ferrari started ninth but is now down in 18th.

Verstappen leads but Hamilton is within 0.9 seconds of the Red Bull. Perez, who has dropped two places, is attacking Norris in the battle for sixth place.

Verstappen leads from Hamilton and Bottas, but Fernando Alonso has got off to a stunning start! He’s climbed six places to fifth. Russell has dropped two places to 10th, while Carlos Sainz is down in 18th.

Lights out! Verstappen gets ahead of Hamilton into the first corner! Hamilton tries to put the pressure on around the pit straight, one lap on, but Verstappen holds him off!

Valtteri Bottas is on softs, while the rest of the top 10 are on medium tyres.

The cars are lined up on the grid and are due to set off on their formation lap imminently. It may feel like a race, but the usual routine of the national anthem is saved for Sunday, as well as the drivers’ anti-racism message.

F1 managing director Ross Brawn has said the reaction of fans to today’s Sprint qualifying will determine whether the format will have a future from next season onwards.

“The teams have been massively supportive of this and we had a great response yesterday, so we are very excited about it,” Brawn told Sky Sports.

“I think this success of this will be judged on the fan engagement and all the viewers, how they enjoy it. We want the authenticity, so that will be the measure.”

George Russell said he will “go for it” in the Sprint today as he looks to improve upon his eighth position secured in Friday’s qualifying session.

“We've got to go for it,” Russell said. “We find ourselves in these positions because we put everything on the table.”

He adds, with a smile: “I’m sure the McLarens will be taking it easy.”

Fellow British driver Lando Norris starts a couple of places ahead of Russell in sixth position. He said: “We're just looking to have a good race, hopefully to gain a couple of positions.”