Lando Norris Edges Out Piastri in Brazilian Practice

The McLaren driver narrowly beat team-mate and title rival the Australian for the top spot in the final moments of the practice session at the Sao Paulo Grand Prix.

The British racer, who seized the championship lead from his teammate by just one point after winning in the Mexican Grand Prix two weeks ago, topped the Australian by a mere 0.023s.

Before then, Oscar Piastri had been the leading McLaren throughout the hour before sprint qualifying scheduled for the evening session.

Max Verstappen, the sole remaining contender in the championship fight, sitting 36 points behind Norris, finished in 17th place as his Red Bull team opted for a unique setup.

His teammate the Japanese driver was the sole competitor to crash, if briefly, when he lost control at Turn Four during the early running.

The Japanese slid over the track edges before sliding over the gravel trap, and was lucky to avoid just a light touch of the fence.

The Ferrari of the seven-time champion also had a spin, at the conclusion of the session, turning around through the fast downhill Mergulho turn leading to the final corner on to the start-finish straight.

Hamilton ended the session in 19th place, just behind team-mate the Monegasque driver.

Norris and Piastri were significantly quicker of the remaining drivers, with Nico Hulkenberg's car in third, 0.619secs behind the Australian's time.

The Aston Martin of Fernando Alonso was fourth quickest, with the Sauber of Bortoleto in front of Mercedes' George Russell and Alpine's Gasly and the Williams of Carlos Sainz.