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For the first time in 16 Formula 1 weekends, Oscar Piastri enters an F1 round not as the drivers' championship leader. The Australian enters this weekend's racing in Brazil one point behind his McLaren teammate, Lando Norris. Meanwhile, Red Bull's Max Verstappen continues to lurk, 36 points behind Norris in a comeback that has been worthy of any champion. There are four rounds left of this epic championship season, with a genuine three-way battle for the drivers' championship. Here is how to follow this weekend's F1 action through ABC Sport, including the Formula 1 São Paulo Grand Prix live blog on Monday, November 9. 'Proud' Piastri is now the hunter as Norris leads the championship Piastri was the leader of the drivers' championship from the end of round five in Saudi Arabia until round 20's grand prix in Mexico. But now, the Australian is second in the championship, one point behind his McLaren teammate Norris. Norris has 357 points, Piastri has 356, and Verstappen remains in the hunt with 321 points. Piastri won seven of the first 15 grands prix this season, but has not been on the top step in the previous five rounds. The Australian finished on the podium in 14 of the opening 16 grands prix, but has failed to place in the top three in the next four. The dip in form has eradicated what was a 34-point lead to Norris after round 15 in the Netherlands, Piastri's last win. However, Piastri's fifth-place effort at the Mexican Grand Prix was arguably one of his better drives this season. Piastri had not looked comfortable in his McLaren that weekend, compared to Norris, who was a class above the field and took victory. But the Australian improved throughout the race, and on a track that can be difficult to overtake on, climbed from ninth after the first lap to finish in the top five. Circuits with low grip, like in Mexico, appear not to suit Piastri's style of driving. But McLaren's team principal Andrea Stella said after the race two weeks ago that Piastri was able to adapt in those conditions and improve as the weekend went on. While acknowledging it was a tough weekend for the Australian, Stella said it was an important learning experience as Piastri enters the final four rounds of the championship. "It's important for Oscar that we go through this kind of experience in which we learn new tools to add to the toolbox, because that's how you become the most complete version of a Formula 1 driver," Stella said after the Mexico City Grand Prix. "And this is also important for the next four races in which we're going to find, again, different conditions. "So, we need to be ready for all of them. But I think Oscar should be very proud and happy with this race." The São Paulo track is traditionally high-grip, requiring a car to have plenty of downforce. In theory, this should be better for Piastri, who won in the Netherlands on a track that also requires high downforce. When does the F1 São Paulo Grand Prix begin? In Australia, the Formula 1 São Paulo Grand Prix will be held on Monday, November 10. Here is when the race will begin in each of Australia's states and territories: 4am AEDT: NSW, ACT, Vic, Tas3:30am ACDT: South Australia3am AEST: Queensland2:30am ACST: Northern Territory1am AWST: Western Australia There is also a sprint race this weekend in Austin. The sprint race, which is one-third of a grand prix distance, will run overnight on Saturday, November 8 and Sunday, November 9. Here is when the sprint race will begin in each of Australia's states and territories: 1am AEDT, Sunday, November 9: NSW, ACT, Vic, Tas12:30am ACDT, Sunday, November 9: South Australia12am AEST, Sunday, November 9: Queensland11:30pm ACST, Saturday, November 8: Northern Territory10pm AWST, Saturday, November 8: Western Australia How can I watch and follow the F1 São Paulo Grand Prix? Fox Sports and its streaming platform Kayo will be broadcasting the São Paulo Grand Prix. Those watching on Foxtel can watch the race on Fox Sports, channel 506. You can also follow all the action with the ABC Sport live blog, from pre-race drama to the post-race synopsis. ABC Sport's live blog of the Formula 1 São Paulo Grand Prix, in Brazil, will begin at 2am AEDT on Monday, November 10. What do I need to know about the Autódromo José Carlos Pace? A lap around the Autódromo José Carlos Pace is completed in quick time and features plenty of challenges for drivers. The Senna S — turns one and two, named after legendary champion Ayrton Senna, is sharp and downhill and comes at the end of the start-finish straight. This is often the best place to overtake on the racetrack. Turn four, a sharp left-hander at the end of the circuit's other straight, is another opportunity for overtaking. The rest of the lap is full of sweeping turns and hard braking zones, providing a test for the driver and machine. Fast facts about the Autódromo José Carlos Pace First race: 1973Number of laps: 71Lap distance: 4.309kmRace distance: 305.939kmFastest grand prix lap: 1:10.540 — Valtteri Bottas (2018)
