Lando Norris Edges Out Piastri in Sao Paulo Practice Session

The McLaren driver just pipped team-mate and championship contender Oscar Piastri for the fastest time in the closing stages of the practice session at the Sao Paulo Grand Prix.

The British racer, who took the championship lead from Piastri by one point after taking the win in Mexico City two weeks ago, outpaced the Melbourne-born driver by 0.023 seconds.

Before then, Piastri had been the leading McLaren for most of the session before the sprint shootout scheduled for the evening session.

Max Verstappen, the other racer in realistic title contention, trailing 36 points behind Norris, finished in 17th place as his Red Bull team followed a unique setup.

His teammate the Japanese driver was the only driver to crash, albeit lightly, when he spun at Turn Four soon after starting.

The Japanese lost control over the exit kerbs before spinning across the escape zone, and was lucky to escape with just a slight brush of the barrier.

Ferrari's the seven-time champion also lost it, at the very end of the session, turning around through the high-speed Mergulho turn approaching the final bend on to the main straight.

The veteran wrapped up in 19th, just behind team-mate the Monegasque driver.

The McLaren pair were significantly quicker of the remaining drivers, with Nico Hulkenberg's Sauber third fastest, 0.619secs off the Australian's time.

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