Lando Norris Edges Out Piastri in Brazilian Practice Session

Lando Norris edged out team-mate and title rival Oscar Piastri for the top spot in the closing stages of the practice session at the Sao Paulo Grand Prix.

Norris, who grabbed the points lead from Piastri by just one point after winning in Mexico City a fortnight back, outpaced the Australian by a mere 0.023s.

Earlier in the session, Oscar Piastri had been the fastest McLaren driver for most of the session before sprint qualifying set to begin at the evening session.

The Red Bull star, the sole remaining contender in the points battle, lying 36 points behind behind Norris, ended up in 17th place as his team followed a alternative strategy.

Verstappen's team-mate the Japanese driver was the sole competitor to crash, if briefly, when he lost control at the fourth corner early in the session.

Tsunoda slid over the exit kerbs before sliding over the gravel trap, and was fortunate to escape with just a light touch of the barrier.

The Ferrari of the seven-time champion also lost it, at the conclusion of the session, turning around through the fast downhill Mergulho turn approaching the last turn on to the pit straight.

Hamilton wrapped up in P19, one place behind teammate the Monegasque driver.

The McLaren drivers were far ahead of the rest of the field, with Nico Hulkenberg's car third fastest, 0.619 seconds off Piastri's pace.

Aston Martin's the Spanish driver was fourth quickest, with Sauber's Gabriel Bortoleto fifth from the Mercedes of Russell and the Alpine of Pierre Gasly and Williams' Carlos Sainz.