**Lando Norris Tops Sole Practice Session Ahead of Sao Paulo Sprint Qualifying**

In an eventful sole practice session at the Sao Paulo Grand Prix, Lando Norris came out on top, narrowly edging out George Russell. The session, which served as a crucial prelude to the Sprint qualifying later today, saw teams primarily focus on long runs using the medium tire compound. The high-octane drama unfolded towards the end when drivers switched to the softer compound.

Norris clocked the fastest lap right after the checkered flag, finishing with a 0.181-second margin over Russell. Despite wrestling with ride quality issues, Russell had held the top spot for most of the session. Making a significant impact, 19-year-old Oliver Bearman, filling in for the ailing Kevin Magnussen, secured third place for Haas, just 0.195 seconds behind Norris. Bearman, who has previously raced for Haas in Azerbaijan and Ferrari in Saudi Arabia this season, will take part in the Sprint and might continue into grand prix qualifying depending on Magnussen's recovery.

Oscar Piastri secured fourth in the second McLaren, trailing his teammate by 0.34 seconds, while Alex Albon rounded out the top five for Williams, just a mere 0.005 seconds further back. Ferrari's Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz followed in sixth and seventh places, respectively, both within half a second of the pace-setter.

Nico Hulkenberg, driving the other Haas car, clinched the eighth spot, trailed by Aston Martin's Fernando Alonso and Alpine's Pierre Gasly. Red Bull's Liam Lawson outperformed teammate Yuki Tsunoda, securing the 11th spot, while Tsunoda finished 12th. Further down the order, Franco Colapinto and Valtteri Bottas placed 13th and 14th.

Defending world champion Max Verstappen ended the session in 15th, having aborted his flying lap on soft tires. Verstappen's new internal combustion engine, his sixth of the season, subjects him to a five-place grid penalty for Sunday's grand prix, though he'll start the Sprint from wherever he qualifies.

Lewis Hamilton reported back pain after a rough session, finishing 16th, followed by Lance Stroll and Esteban Ocon. Sergio Perez, under pressure after a poor outing at his home grand prix, could only manage 19th place with a 1.235-second deficit, despite receiving a chassis change aimed at reversing his slump in form.

Sauber's Zhou Guanyu closed the order, ending over a second off the pace of the next car. As teams gear up for the Sprint qualifying, all eyes will be on how these performances translate into the grid for the Sprint race.