Lando Norris Tops Piastri in Brazilian Practice Session
Lando Norris has outscored Oscar Piastri at all of the previous five grands prix.
Lando Norris narrowly beat team-mate and title rival Oscar Piastri for the quickest lap in the final moments of the practice session at the Sao Paulo Grand Prix.
Norris, who took the title advantage from Piastri by just one point after his victory in Mexico City a fortnight back, topped the Australian by 0.023 seconds.
Before then, Oscar 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 other racer in realistic title contention, trailing 36 points behind behind Norris, finished in P17 as his team opted for a different programme.
Verstappen's team-mate Yuki Tsunoda was the sole competitor to have an incident, though minor, when he rotated at corner four early in the session.
The Japanese slid over the exit kerbs before sliding over the gravel trap, and was fortunate to escape with just a slight brush of the barrier.
The Ferrari of the seven-time champion also spun, at the final moments of the practice, turning around through the fast downhill corner before the last turn on to the start-finish straight.
The seven-time champion finished practice in 19th place, trailing team-mate Charles Leclerc.
Norris and Piastri were significantly quicker of the remaining drivers, with the German's car third fastest, 0.619secs behind the Australian's time.
The Aston Martin of Fernando Alonso was fourth quickest, with Sauber's Gabriel Bortoleto in front of Mercedes' George Russell and Alpine's Pierre Gasly and the Williams of Sainz.
