Norris Leads Oscar Piastri in Brazilian Practice Session

The McLaren driver edged out team-mate and championship contender Oscar Piastri for the quickest lap in the final moments of the practice session at the Sao Paulo Grand Prix.

Norris, who took the points lead from his teammate by a single point after winning in Mexico City a fortnight back, beat the Australian by a mere 0.023s.

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

Max Verstappen, the sole remaining contender in the championship fight, trailing with a 36-point deficit Norris, was classified in 17th place as his team opted for a unique setup.

Verstappen's team-mate the Japanese driver was the sole competitor to go off, if briefly, when he spun at the fourth corner during the early running.

The Japanese spun out over the track edges before spinning across the gravel trap, and was fortunate to avoid just a minor contact of the barrier.

The Ferrari of Lewis Hamilton also spun, at the very end of the session, spinning around through the quick descending corner leading to the final corner on to the main straight.

The seven-time champion finished practice in 19th, one place behind team-mate Charles Leclerc.

The McLaren pair were significantly quicker of the other competitors, with Nico Hulkenberg's Sauber third fastest, 0.619 seconds behind the Australian's time.

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