Lando Norris Edges Out Piastri in Sao Paulo Practice Session
Lando Norris has outperformed Oscar Piastri at each of the past five grands prix.
Lando Norris just pipped team-mate and title rival the Australian for the top spot in the final moments of the practice session at the Brazilian Grand Prix.
Norris, who seized the championship lead from his teammate by one point after winning in Mexico City two weeks ago, topped the Australian by 0.023 seconds.
Before then, Oscar Piastri had been the quickest of the McLaren pair for most of the session before sprint qualifying scheduled for the evening session.
The Red Bull star, the only other driver in realistic title contention, trailing 36 points behind behind Norris, ended up in P17 as his Red Bull team followed a alternative strategy.
Verstappen's team-mate Yuki Tsunoda was the sole competitor to have an incident, albeit lightly, when he rotated at the fourth corner during the early running.
The Japanese lost control over the track edges before rotating through the gravel trap, and was lucky to avoid just a light touch of the fence.
The Ferrari of Lewis Hamilton also spun, at the final moments of the practice, turning around through the high-speed Mergulho corner leading to the final corner on to the main straight.
Hamilton wrapped up in 19th place, one place behind teammate Charles Leclerc.
Norris and Piastri were far ahead of the rest of the field, with the German's car in third, 0.619secs behind Piastri's pace.
The Aston Martin of Fernando Alonso was fourth quickest, with Sauber's Bortoleto in front of the Mercedes of George Russell and Alpine's Pierre Gasly and Williams' Sainz.
