Norris Edges Out Oscar Piastri in Sao Paulo Practice Session
Lando Norris has outscored Oscar Piastri at all of the past five grands prix.
Lando Norris narrowly beat team-mate and title rival Oscar Piastri for the top spot in the final moments of the practice session at the Brazilian Grand Prix.
Norris, who took the points lead from Piastri by just one point after taking the win in Mexico City recently, beat the Melbourne-born driver by 0.023 seconds.
Until that point, Oscar Piastri had been the leading McLaren for most of the session before sprint qualifying scheduled for 6:30 PM GMT.
Max Verstappen, the sole remaining contender in the championship fight, sitting with a 36-point deficit behind Norris, ended up in 17th position as his Red Bull team opted for a alternative strategy.
His teammate Yuki Tsunoda was the sole competitor to go off, albeit lightly, when he rotated at corner four during the early running.
The Japanese lost control over the track edges before spinning across the run-off area, and was blessed to escape with just a slight brush of the barrier.
Ferrari's the seven-time champion also lost it, at the very end of the session, turning around through the high-speed corner before the last turn on to the pit straight.
The veteran finished practice in 19th, trailing teammate the Monegasque driver.
The McLaren pair were well clear of the remaining drivers, with the German's car third fastest, over half a second off Piastri's pace.
The Aston Martin of the Spanish driver was fourth fastest, with Sauber's Bortoleto ahead of Mercedes' Russell and the Alpine of Pierre Gasly and Williams' Carlos Sainz.
