🔗 Share this article

The McLaren driver narrowly beat team-mate and title rival Oscar Piastri for the top spot in the final moments of the practice session at the Sao Paulo Grand Prix.

The British racer, who took the points lead from his teammate by a single point after his victory in Mexico City two weeks ago, beat the Melbourne-born driver by a tiny margin of 0.023secs.

Until that point, Oscar Piastri had been the quickest of the McLaren pair during the running before the sprint shootout due at the evening session.

The Red Bull star, the sole remaining contender in the championship fight, trailing with a 36-point deficit Norris, ended up in P17 as his Red Bull team ran a different programme.

His teammate the Japanese driver was the only driver to go off, if briefly, when he lost control at Turn Four during the early running.

The Japanese lost control over the exit kerbs before rotating through the gravel trap, and was fortunate to escape with just a minor contact of the fence.

The Ferrari of Lewis Hamilton also spun, at the very end of the practice, spinning around through the fast downhill Mergulho turn leading to the last turn on to the main straight.

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

Norris and Piastri were significantly quicker of the rest of the field, with Nico Hulkenberg's Sauber P3, 0.619secs behind Piastri's pace.

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