Norris Tops Piastri in Sao Paulo Practice Session

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

Norris, who took the points lead from his teammate by just one point after winning in the Mexican Grand Prix a fortnight back, topped the Australian by a tiny margin of 0.023secs.

Earlier in the session, Piastri had been the leading McLaren during the running before sprint qualifying scheduled for 6:30 PM GMT.

Max Verstappen, the sole remaining contender in the points battle, trailing 36 points Norris, ended up in 17th position as his team followed a unique setup.

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

The Japanese spun out over the exit kerbs before spinning across the run-off area, and was blessed to avoid just a minor contact of the barrier.

Ferrari's the seven-time champion also had a spin, at the conclusion of the practice, rotating twice through the quick descending corner approaching the final corner on to the pit straight.

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

Norris and Piastri were well clear of the remaining drivers, with Nico Hulkenberg's car in third, 0.619secs off Piastri's best.

The Aston Martin of the Spanish driver was in fourth, with the Sauber of Bortoleto ahead of Mercedes' Russell and the Alpine of Pierre Gasly and Williams' Carlos Sainz.