Lando Norris Edges Out Piastri in Sao Paulo Practice
Lando Norris has outscored Oscar Piastri at each of the past five race weekends.
Lando Norris just pipped team-mate and title rival Oscar Piastri for the fastest time in the final moments of the practice session at the Brazilian Grand Prix.
The British racer, who seized the points lead from his teammate by a single point after his victory in Mexico City two weeks ago, beat the Australian by 0.023 seconds.
Earlier in the session, Piastri had been the quickest of the McLaren pair during the running before the sprint shootout due at 6:30 PM GMT.
The Red Bull star, the other racer in the points battle, trailing with a 36-point deficit behind Norris, ended up in P17 as his Red Bull team followed a unique setup.
Verstappen's team-mate Yuki Tsunoda was the sole competitor to go off, albeit lightly, when he lost control at corner four during the early running.
Tsunoda spun out over the exit kerbs before sliding over the run-off area, and was fortunate to get away with just a slight brush of the fence.
The Ferrari of Lewis Hamilton also spun, at the final moments of the session, spinning around through the quick descending Mergulho turn approaching the final bend on to the pit straight.
The seven-time champion ended the session in 19th, one place behind team-mate Charles Leclerc.
Norris and Piastri were significantly quicker of the remaining drivers, with the German's Sauber in third, over half a second off Piastri's pace.
The Aston Martin of the Spanish driver was in fourth, with the Sauber of Gabriel Bortoleto ahead of Mercedes' Russell and the Alpine of Pierre Gasly and Williams' Sainz.
