Norris Tops Oscar Piastri in Sao Paulo Practice

Lando Norris narrowly beat fellow driver and title rival the Australian for the fastest time in the dying seconds of practice at the Sao Paulo Grand Prix.

Norris, who took the points lead from his teammate by one point after taking the win in Mexico City recently, topped the Australian by a mere 0.023s.

Earlier in the session, Piastri had been the quickest of the McLaren pair during the running before sprint qualifying set to begin at 6:30 PM GMT.

Max Verstappen, the other racer in realistic title contention, trailing 36 points behind Norris, finished in 17th place 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 Turn Four soon after starting.

The Japanese spun out over the exit kerbs before rotating through the run-off area, and was blessed to escape with just a light touch of the fence.

The Ferrari of the seven-time champion also spun, at the very end of the practice, turning around through the quick descending corner leading to the final corner on to the pit straight.

The veteran finished practice in P19, one place behind team-mate Charles Leclerc.

Norris and Piastri were far ahead of the rest of the field, with Nico Hulkenberg's car P3, over half a second slower than Piastri's pace.

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