Norris Edges Out Oscar Piastri in Sao Paulo Practice
Lando Norris has outperformed his teammate at each of the last five grands prix.
Lando Norris narrowly beat team-mate and title rival the Australian for the quickest lap in the closing stages of the practice session at the Sao Paulo Grand Prix.
Norris, who seized the title advantage from Piastri by one point after winning in the Mexican Grand Prix two weeks ago, outpaced the Australian by 0.023 seconds.
Until that point, Oscar Piastri had been the fastest McLaren driver for most of the session before the sprint shootout scheduled for the evening session.
Max Verstappen, the sole remaining contender in the points battle, sitting 36 points behind behind Norris, finished in P17 as his Red Bull team ran a alternative strategy.
Verstappen's team-mate the Japanese driver was the sole competitor to go off, though minor, when he lost control at corner four during the early running.
The Japanese spun out over the track edges before sliding over the gravel trap, and was blessed to avoid just a light touch of the barrier.
The Ferrari of Lewis Hamilton also had a spin, at the conclusion of the session, turning around through the quick descending Mergulho corner before the final bend on to the start-finish straight.
The veteran ended the session in 19th place, trailing teammate the Monegasque driver.
Norris and Piastri were significantly quicker of the remaining drivers, with Nico Hulkenberg's car third fastest, 0.619secs off Piastri's best.
The Aston Martin of Fernando Alonso was fourth fastest, with Sauber's Bortoleto in front of the Mercedes of Russell and Alpine's Pierre Gasly and Williams' Carlos Sainz.
