Norris Leads Piastri in Brazilian Practice

Lando Norris edged out team-mate and title rival Oscar Piastri for the fastest time in the closing stages of practice at the Brazilian Grand Prix.

The British racer, who grabbed the championship lead from his teammate by a single point after taking the win in the Mexican Grand Prix recently, outpaced the Melbourne-born driver by 0.023 seconds.

Earlier in the session, Piastri had been the quickest of the McLaren pair during the running before sprint qualifying scheduled for the evening session.

Max Verstappen, the other racer in realistic title contention, lying 36 points behind Norris, finished in 17th position as his team opted for a alternative strategy.

His teammate Yuki Tsunoda was the sole competitor to go off, if briefly, when he rotated at corner four soon after starting.

Tsunoda slid over the track edges before sliding over the gravel trap, and was fortunate to escape with just a light touch of the barrier.

Ferrari's the seven-time champion also lost it, at the conclusion of the practice, rotating twice through the fast downhill corner before the last turn on to the main straight.

The veteran finished practice in 19th place, one place behind team-mate the Monegasque driver.

Norris and Piastri were far ahead of the rest of the field, with Nico Hulkenberg's car in third, 0.619 seconds slower than the Australian's time.

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