Norris Edges Out Piastri in Brazilian Practice Session

Lando Norris edged out fellow driver and title rival the Australian for the quickest lap in the closing stages of practice at the Sao Paulo Grand Prix.

The British racer, who seized the title advantage from his teammate by one point after winning in Mexico City two weeks ago, beat the Melbourne-born driver by a mere 0.023s.

Earlier in the session, Piastri had been the quickest of the McLaren pair throughout the hour before the sprint shootout due at 6:30 PM GMT.

The Red Bull star, the sole remaining contender in the points battle, lying with a 36-point deficit behind Norris, finished in P17 as his team followed a alternative strategy.

Verstappen's team-mate Yuki Tsunoda was the only driver to go off, though minor, when he lost control at corner four during the early running.

The Japanese lost control over the exit kerbs before sliding over the escape zone, and was fortunate to avoid just a slight brush of the barrier.

The Ferrari of the seven-time champion also spun, at the final moments of the session, spinning around through the fast downhill corner before the final bend on to the start-finish straight.

Hamilton wrapped up in 19th place, just behind team-mate the Monegasque driver.

The McLaren drivers were significantly quicker of the other competitors, with Nico Hulkenberg's car in third, over half a second off Piastri's pace.

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