🔗 Share this article

The McLaren driver edged out fellow driver and title rival the Australian 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 Piastri by just one point after taking the win in Mexico City recently, topped the Melbourne-born driver by a mere 0.023s.

Earlier in the session, Piastri had been the quickest of the McLaren pair during the running before sprint qualifying set to begin at the evening session.

Max Verstappen, the sole remaining contender in realistic title contention, lying 36 points behind behind Norris, ended up in 17th place as his team opted for a alternative strategy.

Verstappen's team-mate the Japanese driver was the sole competitor to have an incident, if briefly, when he lost control at Turn Four early in the session.

The Japanese slid over the curbs on exit before rotating through the escape zone, and was blessed to escape with just a slight brush of the barrier.

The Ferrari of the seven-time champion also lost it, at the final moments of the practice, spinning around through the quick descending Mergulho corner leading to the final bend on to the main straight.

Hamilton wrapped up in 19th place, one place behind team-mate Charles Leclerc.

The McLaren drivers were significantly quicker of the remaining drivers, with the German's Sauber in third, over half a second off Piastri's pace.

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