SAO PAULO :Oscar Piastri believes he can still be Formula One champion but recognised things were not going his way after crashing out of the Sao Paulo sprint and qualifying fourth for Sunday's grand prix.

The Australian now trails McLaren teammate and championship leader Lando Norris by nine points in the overall standings, with three rounds remaining after Brazil, having been only a point behind before the Briton won the sprint.

In a further blow, Norris secured pole position for Sunday.

"I've still got the belief that I can go out and win races and win the championship," Piastri told reporters after qualifying.

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