Norris Tops Piastri in Sao Paulo Practice Session

Lando Norris narrowly beat fellow driver and title rival Oscar Piastri for the top spot in the dying seconds of practice at the Sao Paulo Grand Prix.

Norris, who seized the title advantage from his teammate by a single point after his victory in Mexico City two weeks ago, topped the Australian by 0.023 seconds.

Before then, Piastri had been the quickest of the McLaren pair for most of the session before sprint qualifying scheduled for 18:30 GMT.

The Red Bull star, the other racer in the championship fight, lying 36 points behind Norris, was classified in 17th place as his Red Bull team ran a unique setup.

His teammate Yuki Tsunoda was the only driver to go off, if briefly, when he lost control at Turn Four early in the session.

The Japanese lost control over the track edges before sliding over the gravel trap, and was lucky to get away with just a slight brush of the barrier.

Ferrari's the seven-time champion also spun, at the conclusion of the session, turning around through the fast downhill Mergulho corner before the last turn on to the pit straight.

Hamilton finished practice in 19th place, one place behind teammate the Monegasque driver.

The McLaren pair were far ahead of the remaining drivers, with Nico Hulkenberg's car in third, 0.619 seconds slower than Piastri's pace.

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