Norris Tops Oscar Piastri in Brazilian Practice Session
Lando Norris has outscored his teammate at each of the last five grands prix.
Lando Norris edged out fellow driver and title rival the Australian for the fastest time in the dying seconds of the practice session at the Sao Paulo Grand Prix.
Norris, who took the points lead from Piastri by just one point after taking the win in Mexico City a fortnight back, beat the Melbourne-born driver by 0.023 seconds.
Until that point, Oscar Piastri had been the quickest of the McLaren pair for most of the session before sprint qualifying scheduled for 18:30 GMT.
Max Verstappen, the other racer in the points battle, trailing 36 points behind behind Norris, was classified in P17 as his team followed a alternative strategy.
His teammate Yuki Tsunoda was the only driver to go off, though minor, when he rotated at Turn Four during the early running.
The Japanese lost control over the track edges before sliding over the gravel trap, and was lucky to get away with just a light touch of the barrier.
Ferrari's the seven-time champion also spun, at the conclusion of the practice, turning around through the fast downhill Mergulho turn before the final bend on to the start-finish straight.
The veteran wrapped up in 19th, just behind teammate Charles Leclerc.
The McLaren drivers were significantly quicker of the remaining drivers, with the German's car in third, 0.619secs off the Australian's time.
Aston Martin's Fernando Alonso was in fourth, with the Sauber of Gabriel Bortoleto ahead of Mercedes' Russell and Alpine's Gasly and Williams' Carlos Sainz.
