Lando Norris Edges Out Oscar Piastri in Sao Paulo Practice Session

Lando Norris edged out team-mate and championship contender the Australian for the top spot in the closing stages of practice at the Brazilian Grand Prix.

The British racer, who took the points lead from Piastri by a single point after winning in Mexico City a fortnight back, outpaced the Melbourne-born driver by 0.023 seconds.

Earlier in the session, Oscar Piastri had been the fastest McLaren driver throughout the hour before the sprint shootout due at the evening session.

The Red Bull star, the only other driver in the points battle, trailing 36 points behind Norris, was classified in 17th place as his Red Bull team ran a alternative strategy.

His teammate Yuki Tsunoda was the only driver to crash, if briefly, when he lost control at corner four during the early running.

The Japanese lost control over the exit kerbs before sliding over the run-off area, and was lucky to avoid just a minor contact of the fence.

The Ferrari of Lewis Hamilton also spun, at the conclusion of the session, turning around through the high-speed corner leading to the last turn on to the start-finish straight.

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

Norris and Piastri were far ahead of the other competitors, with the German's Sauber P3, 0.619secs behind the Australian's time.

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