Lando Norris Leads Oscar Piastri in Brazilian Practice

Lando Norris edged out team-mate and title rival Oscar Piastri for the quickest lap in the closing stages of practice at the Sao Paulo Grand Prix.

Norris, who took the championship lead from his teammate by just one point after winning in Mexico City recently, outpaced the Melbourne-born driver by 0.023 seconds.

Earlier in the session, Oscar Piastri had been the leading McLaren throughout the hour before sprint qualifying scheduled for 18:30 GMT.

The Red Bull star, the sole remaining contender in the championship fight, lying 36 points behind behind Norris, finished in 17th place as his team opted for a alternative strategy.

His teammate Yuki Tsunoda was the only driver to crash, albeit lightly, when he lost control at Turn Four soon after starting.

The Japanese spun out over the curbs on exit before rotating through the gravel trap, and was lucky to avoid just a slight brush of the barrier.

The Ferrari of the seven-time champion also spun, at the conclusion of the practice, turning around through the high-speed corner leading to the final bend on to the main straight.

The veteran finished practice in P19, trailing team-mate the Monegasque driver.

Norris and Piastri were significantly quicker of the remaining drivers, with Nico Hulkenberg's car in third, over half a second behind Piastri's best.

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