With qualifying having taken place in totally different conditions - i.e. night time - it's difficult to say where we stand in terms of today's Sprint.
While Verstappen is on pole, ahead of Russell, Leclerc, Piastri and Norris, in free practice, which took place in similar conditions to what we have for the Sprint, Russell was quickest, ahead of Leclerc, Norris, Hamilton and Piastri.
Verstappen, indeed Red Bull, is clearly on a roll and therefore must head into the Sprint as favourite, however, as is always the case, this is the Sprint with the big prize coming tomorrow.
Though we have seen no significant incidents there have been plenty of near misses, while track limits are an issue, as the lack of grip due to the state of the track.
Starting from the back of the grid tomorrow, the driver that really needs to do well in the Sprint is Russell, who is set for another grid drop at one of the forthcoming races.
Having had work done on his car under parc ferme conditions, Sainz will start the Sprint from the pit lane.
The drivers have already admitted that today's Sprint is unlikely to be memorable due to the difficulty in overtaking, which makes the decision to hold a Sprint in Monaco next year even more questionable.
A few drivers might be tempted to take a risk or two, especially the likes of Ocon who is looking to impress a potential employer, while Alpine is desperate to overtake RB in the standings.
As the pitlane opens, the air temperature is 31 degrees C, while the track temperature is 50 degrees. Humidity is 69%.
Colapinto leads the way, followed by Perez, Galy, Bortoleto and Bottas.
Bearman is noted for failing to keep to the maximum delta time. It is subsequently announced that he will be investigated.
15 minutes before the start, Russell says that there is a rain shower "two minutes away".
Indeed, Race Control claims an 80% chance of rain.
At which point the umbrellas go up and in the grandstands fans scramble to don their macs.
"I saw the radar and saw a bit splodge and thought that's not correct," says Bearman, "turns out it was."
As the rain falls, in typically tropical style, a number of teams a caught on the hop, failing to cover their cars with the gazebos in time, among them Leclerc's Ferrari.
"Delayed start," announces Race Control as the Medical Car heads out for an exploratory lap.
"Start delayed due to the rain," confirms the FIA, "there is a large amount of standing water around Turns 2 and 3."
At 17:16, Race Control announces that the formation lap will start at 17:30.
The rain has stopped and the exit at Turn 3 appears to be the main area of concern.
Ahead of the formation lap, all are on Inters, Ferrari clearly having learned from last week.
They head off, and almost instantly one is aware of just how much standing water there really is.
On board with Antonelli and all one can see ahead are the flashing lights on Hamilton's Ferrari.
"The spray is really bad," says Piastri.
It will be a standing start confirms Race Control as Piastri says "it's a little better this lap", the Race Director having opted for two formation laps.
"There's a good chance we'll go to slicks at some point," says Albon.
The grid forms, as Sainz heads into the pitlane.
They're away! A brilliant start from Russell, while the Ferraris go either side of Piastri, Hamilton leading Leclerc into Turn 1, as Norris slots in behind his Australian teammate.
Hadjar attempts to go around the outside of Lawson, who has Antonelli just ahead.
Having failed to pass Lawson, Hadjar slips back and is passed by Gasly and then Bearman. Could Hadjar have an issue?
Despite the conditions they all get through the first lap without any incidents.
At the end of Lap 1, Russell runs wide as he exits the final corner, runs over the kerb and hits the wall. Verstappen leads Hamilton, Leclerc, Piastri, Norris, Antonelli, Lawson, Gasly, Bearman and Hadjar.
"I'm fine," says the Mercedes driver, "sorry, sorry, sorry!"
Elsewhere, Stroll has stopped at Turn 16, while Perez has pitted. Did they have contact?
As Antonelli is warned that Russell touched the white line, and should therefore avoid repeating his error, Hadjar pulls off track at Turn 5.
"The engine braking is dying," says the Red Bull driver, who is told to stop the car.
Replay shows Perez and Stroll clashed as the Mexican was making a move on the Canadian.
And now Colapinto has stopped on track, as replay shows Lindblad spinning 180 at Turn 4 and thereby dropping to the back of the field.
Piastri confirms that it is drying, but that Turn 3 remains an issue. While standing water at Turn 16 makes slicks impossible.
Seemingly, Colapinto suffered a complete shutdown.
"It's still Inters for sure," says Bearman, "it's not drying very fast."
The Safety Car is withdrawn at the end of Lap 6.
Lindblad has been noted for driving the wrong way at Turn 5.
They're away, again, and a cheeky move sees Bearman pass Gasly for eighth.
The leaders hold position, however, at the back of the field, Bottas clouts Bortoleto, bringing out the yellows. Seemingly, Albon was also involved.
Verstappen leads Hamilton, Leclerc, Piastri, Norris and Antonelli, as Bottas and Bortoleto pit.
Hamilton has been noted for a yellow flag infringement.
"Miscalculation," admits Russell, "I came through the corner, had a little more battery deployment than I thought, sent me wide. Silly mistake, big consequences."
"He pushed me wide," says Gasly of Hulkenberg as the Albon/Bortoleto incident is to be investigated.
"Track is fine, still drying, maybe a little wet in places, I'm not sure," admits Hamilton.
The only potential battle is that between the McLaren driver, Piastri just 0.6s ahead of Norris.
The Gasly/Hulkenberg incident has been noted.
Hulkenberg is closing on Bearman, as Verstappen enjoys a 3s lead over Hamilton who is 1.8s ahead of Leclerc.
With seven cars already eliminated, the remaining 15 are, understandably, being very cautious. It is unlikely that anyone is going to take the gamble of switching to slicks.
Though down in sixth, Antonelli has the consolation of knowing that he is on the verge of extending his championship lead by 2 more points.
The Albon/Bortoleto incident will be investigated we are told as the Williams driver is told to "box" and retire.
And then there were 14.
"Thinking ahead to a Safety Car, how far is it to drys," Norris is asked. "It's not," he replies.
No further investigation of the Gasly/Hulkenberg incident.
"The front tyres are destroyed," says Leclerc as Norris appears to close on Piastri.
In his determination to cool his Inters, Antonelli appears to run wide in various corners.
Piastri is clearly closing on the struggling Leclerc who hasn't done his tyres any favours.
No further investigation of that yellow flag infringement involving Hamilton.
A new fastest lap from the seven-time world champion (45.626).
Antonelli is just 0.5s down on Norris.
Verstappen begins the final lap 3.3s ahead of Hamilton.
Disaster, Norris attempts to pass Piastri in Turn 5 and they clash. The Briton is able to continue but the Australian is out.
"Uh, I'm out," confirms Piastri.
And then there were 13.
All of which is great news for Antonelli who is promoted to fourth.
Verstappen takes the flag, ahead of Hamilton, Leclerc, Antonelli, Lawson, Bearman, Hulkenberg and Norris.
On the pit-wall, Zak Brown has his head in his hands.
"Sorry about that, obviously I didn't want it to happen," says Norris. "I thought I was fully alongside, I just ran out of space at the apex, but I was there, so..."
"I struggled a lot from mid-race onwards," admits Leclerc. "I went for quite an aggressive balance compared to normal, but when it dried up I was nowhere.
"I knew I needed a good exit out of Turn 5," he adds, "I checked in my mirrors and saw the red lights of the back of the cars, so I knew something happened.
"Kimi was strong at the end, we just didn't have the pace."
"I had a mega start which was awesome," grins Hamilton. "I love driving this track in the rain, so as soon as the heavens opened I knew this would be a great day.
"It is a tough track to overtake," he adds.
"We showed we have a good car, if we can do slightly better in qualifying, get both cars up there, we can apply pressure to both Mercedes and Red Bull."
"The start was horrendous again," says Verstappen, "so that is something we need to improve on, as if that happens tomorrow, that is your race over.
"We just tried to bring it home, it is great to win the Sprint, but of course I want to win tomorrow in the Grand Prix."
"I've not seen it properly," says Piastri, when asked about the incident. "From where I sit, it is fourth and fifth for a Sprint.
"I'm not that bothered either way, but it is a lot of work for the team to get both cars fixed."
"I got hit, I know how Oscar feels right now," says Lawson.
"I'm thankful I guess," he adds, referring to the extra points the McLaren clash brought him. "I got lucky. Not ideal!"
Other than the post mortems, especially at McLaren, there remains the question of spares, and whether all the damaged cars - of which there are a few - can be repaired in time for qualifying, which will get underway 30 minutes later than originally scheduled.
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