Lando Norris Leads Piastri in Brazilian Practice
The British driver has outscored Oscar Piastri at each of the past five race weekends.
The McLaren driver edged out team-mate and title rival Oscar Piastri for the top spot in the closing stages of the practice session at the Sao Paulo Grand Prix.
Norris, who seized the points lead from his teammate by just one point after winning in the Mexican Grand Prix two weeks ago, outpaced the Australian by 0.023 seconds.
Until that point, Piastri had been the leading McLaren during the running before sprint qualifying due at 6:30 PM GMT.
The Red Bull star, the sole remaining contender in the points battle, sitting 36 points behind behind Norris, was classified in 17th position as his team ran a alternative strategy.
His teammate Yuki Tsunoda was the sole competitor to go off, if briefly, when he spun at corner four during the early running.
The Japanese spun out over the curbs on exit before sliding over the run-off area, and was blessed to avoid just a minor contact of the fence.
The Ferrari of Lewis Hamilton also lost it, at the very end of the practice, turning around through the fast downhill Mergulho turn before the final corner on to the pit straight.
The veteran wrapped up in 19th, trailing team-mate Charles Leclerc.
Norris and Piastri were far ahead of the remaining drivers, with the German's car in third, 0.619 seconds off Piastri's best.
Aston Martin's Fernando Alonso was fourth fastest, with the Sauber of Gabriel Bortoleto in front of the Mercedes of Russell and Alpine's Gasly and Williams' Sainz.
