Norris Edges Out Oscar Piastri in Brazilian Practice

The McLaren driver narrowly beat fellow driver and title rival the Australian for the top spot in the dying seconds of practice at the Sao Paulo Grand Prix.

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

Until that point, Oscar Piastri had been the leading McLaren during the running before sprint qualifying due at the evening session.

Max Verstappen, the sole remaining contender in the championship fight, trailing 36 points behind behind Norris, was classified in 17th place as his Red Bull team followed a alternative strategy.

Verstappen's team-mate Yuki Tsunoda was the only driver to crash, albeit lightly, when he lost control at the fourth corner during the early running.

Tsunoda lost control over the exit kerbs before spinning across the gravel trap, and was blessed to escape with just a slight brush of the wall.

The Ferrari of Lewis Hamilton also lost it, at the final moments of the practice, spinning around through the high-speed Mergulho turn approaching the final bend on to the main straight.

The veteran ended the session in 19th, just behind team-mate Charles Leclerc.

Norris and Piastri were well clear of the remaining drivers, with the German's Sauber P3, 0.619secs off Piastri's pace.

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