The BIG motorsport weekend

After a four-week break, the F1 season returns with a bang as they head into a hectic period of six races in the last eight weeks as the season moves towards a thrilling climax.

And in MotoGP, it is even tighter as the riders head to Australia for the fourth-last thrash around the track.

In terms of the F1 title, what looked like a shoe-in for Max Verstappen a few months ago after seven wins in the first 10 races is turning out to be a real two-horse race. McLaren's Lando Norris has closed what was an 84-point gap six races ago to a 52-point gap with another six left.

That means he has been closing at just over five points per race, so if he can continue doing that for five of the races, then throw in a win with a Max retirement, we have a serious thriller on our hands!

The action resumes this weekend with the 19th race of the season at Austin in the United States, and McLaren will look to extend their constructors’ championship lead, ahead of Red Bull and Ferrari.

Follow all the action live on SuperSport.

United States (Austin) - 20 October

Friday, 18 October
Practice 1: 7:25pm, SS Motorsport
Sprint Qualifying: 11:25pm, SS Motorsport

Saturday, 19 October
Sprint: 7:55pm, SS Motorsport
Qualifying: 11:55pm,  SS Motorsport

Sunday, 20 October
Race: 8:55pm. SS Motorsport

BIKERS IN AUSTRALIA

After a pivotal weekend at Motegi, the points gap at the top of the MotoGP ladder is now back down to just 10 points heading into Phillip Island for the Australian MotoGP.

A perfectly timed double from reigning champion Francesco Bagnaia, after a weekend soaking up the pressure from Jorge Martin, brought the two closer than they have been for some time in the standings

The 1-2 also means the distance back to Enea Bastianini and Marc Marquez is now almost insurmountable.

Australia (Phillip Island) - 20 October

Friday, 18 October
Practice 1: 5:50am, SS Motorsport

Saturday, 19 October
Qualifying: 1:45am, SS Motorsport
Sprint: 5:55am, SS Motorsport

Sunday, 20 October
Race: 4:55am. SS Motorsport