Lando Norris Tops Piastri in Sao Paulo Practice Session

Lando Norris edged out team-mate and title rival the Australian for the quickest lap in the dying seconds of the practice session at the Brazilian Grand Prix.

The British racer, who took the points lead from his teammate by one point after his victory in Mexico City two weeks ago, outpaced the Australian by 0.023 seconds.

Until that point, Oscar Piastri had been the quickest of the McLaren pair for most of the session before sprint qualifying scheduled for the evening session.

Max Verstappen, the other racer in realistic title contention, lying 36 points behind Norris, was classified in 17th position as his team ran a different programme.

Verstappen's team-mate the Japanese driver was the sole competitor to have an incident, albeit lightly, when he lost control at the fourth corner soon after starting.

The Japanese spun out over the curbs on exit before sliding over the run-off area, and was fortunate to escape with just a minor contact of the wall.

Ferrari's the seven-time champion also lost it, at the conclusion of the session, rotating twice through the fast downhill Mergulho corner before the last turn on to the start-finish straight.

Hamilton ended the session in 19th place, just behind teammate Charles Leclerc.

The McLaren drivers were significantly quicker of the other competitors, with the German's car in third, 0.619secs off the Australian's time.

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