Norris Leads Piastri in Brazilian Practice Session

Lando Norris edged out team-mate and title rival the Australian for the top spot in the closing stages of the practice session at the Brazilian Grand Prix.

The British racer, who took the championship lead from his teammate by just one point after winning in Mexico City a fortnight back, topped the Melbourne-born driver by a mere 0.023s.

Until that point, Oscar Piastri had been the fastest McLaren driver throughout the hour before the sprint shootout set to begin at 6:30 PM GMT.

The Red Bull star, the sole remaining contender in the championship fight, lying with a 36-point deficit Norris, ended up in 17th place as his team followed a unique setup.

Verstappen's team-mate the Japanese driver was the sole competitor to crash, if briefly, when he rotated at Turn Four soon after starting.

The Japanese lost control over the curbs on exit before spinning across the escape zone, and was fortunate to escape with just a light touch of the wall.

Ferrari's the seven-time champion also had a spin, at the final moments of the practice, turning around through the high-speed Mergulho turn approaching the final corner on to the main straight.

The seven-time champion wrapped up in P19, just behind teammate Charles Leclerc.

The McLaren pair were far ahead of the remaining drivers, with the German's car P3, over half a second slower than the Australian's time.

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