Norris Tops Oscar Piastri in Brazilian Practice Session
The British driver has beaten Oscar Piastri at each of the previous five grands prix.
Lando Norris just pipped fellow driver and championship contender Oscar Piastri for the top spot in the final moments of practice at the Sao Paulo Grand Prix.
Norris, who seized the championship lead from his teammate by one point after taking the win in Mexico City a fortnight back, topped the Australian by 0.023 seconds.
Earlier in the session, Oscar Piastri had been the quickest of the McLaren pair for most of the session before the sprint shootout scheduled for 18:30 GMT.
Max Verstappen, the sole remaining contender in realistic title contention, trailing with a 36-point deficit behind Norris, ended up in 17th place as his team followed a unique setup.
His teammate the Japanese driver was the only driver to go off, albeit lightly, when he spun at Turn Four soon after starting.
The Japanese lost control over the exit kerbs before sliding over the escape zone, and was blessed to avoid just a minor contact of the fence.
The Ferrari of the seven-time champion also spun, at the conclusion of the practice, spinning around through the fast downhill Mergulho corner leading to the last turn on to the start-finish straight.
The veteran finished practice in 19th, one place behind teammate the Monegasque driver.
The McLaren pair were well clear of the rest of the field, with Nico Hulkenberg's Sauber P3, over half a second slower than Piastri's pace.
Aston Martin's the Spanish driver was in fourth, with Sauber's Gabriel Bortoleto ahead of Mercedes' George Russell and the Alpine of Pierre Gasly and Williams' Carlos Sainz.
