Lando Norris Leads Piastri in Brazilian Practice Session

The McLaren driver edged out team-mate and title rival the Australian for the top spot in the dying seconds of the practice session at the Sao Paulo Grand Prix.

Norris, who took the points lead from his teammate by a single point after winning in the Mexican Grand Prix recently, topped the Melbourne-born driver by 0.023 seconds.

Earlier in the session, Oscar Piastri had been the leading McLaren during the running before the sprint shootout scheduled for 6:30 PM GMT.

Max Verstappen, the sole remaining contender in the points battle, sitting with a 36-point deficit Norris, was classified in 17th position as his Red Bull team ran a unique setup.

His teammate Yuki Tsunoda was the sole competitor to go off, though minor, when he rotated at Turn Four during the early running.

Tsunoda lost control over the exit kerbs before rotating through the run-off area, and was fortunate to avoid just a light touch of the wall.

Ferrari's Lewis Hamilton also lost it, at the final moments of the practice, turning around through the fast downhill Mergulho turn leading to the final corner on to the pit straight.

The seven-time champion wrapped up in 19th, one place behind teammate the Monegasque driver.

The McLaren drivers were far ahead of the rest of the field, with the German's car P3, over half a second off Piastri's pace.

Aston Martin's Fernando Alonso was fourth fastest, with Sauber's Bortoleto ahead of the Mercedes of George Russell and Alpine's Pierre Gasly and Williams' Carlos Sainz.