Lando Norris Edges Out Piastri in Brazilian Practice Session

The McLaren driver narrowly beat fellow driver and championship contender the Australian for the fastest time in the dying seconds of practice at the Sao Paulo Grand Prix.

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

Before then, Piastri had been the leading McLaren for most of the session before sprint qualifying scheduled for the evening session.

The Red Bull star, the other racer in realistic title contention, lying with a 36-point deficit Norris, finished in 17th place as his Red Bull team followed a unique setup.

Verstappen's team-mate Yuki Tsunoda was the only driver to crash, though minor, when he rotated at the fourth corner soon after starting.

The Japanese slid over the curbs on exit before rotating through the gravel trap, and was fortunate to escape with just a slight brush of the wall.

The Ferrari of Lewis Hamilton also lost it, at the conclusion of the practice, spinning around through the fast downhill Mergulho turn approaching the final corner on to the pit straight.

The veteran finished practice in 19th place, trailing team-mate the Monegasque driver.

Norris and Piastri were far ahead of the remaining drivers, with Nico Hulkenberg's Sauber third fastest, 0.619secs off Piastri's best.

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