Norris Leads Oscar Piastri in Brazilian Practice
Lando Norris has outscored Oscar Piastri at all of the last five grands prix.
Lando Norris narrowly beat team-mate and title rival Oscar Piastri for the fastest time in the final moments of practice at the Sao Paulo Grand Prix.
The British racer, who took the points lead from Piastri by just one point after his victory in Mexico City a fortnight back, topped the Melbourne-born driver by a tiny margin of 0.023secs.
Before then, Oscar Piastri had been the fastest McLaren driver during the running before the sprint shootout set to begin at 18:30 GMT.
Max Verstappen, the only other driver in realistic title contention, lying with a 36-point deficit behind Norris, was classified in 17th place as his Red Bull team opted for a alternative strategy.
Verstappen's team-mate Yuki Tsunoda was the only driver to crash, though minor, when he rotated at Turn Four soon after starting.
The Japanese lost control over the exit kerbs before spinning across the gravel trap, and was fortunate to escape with just a light touch of the fence.
Ferrari's the seven-time champion also lost it, at the final moments of the practice, turning around through the fast downhill Mergulho corner before the final corner on to the pit straight.
The veteran wrapped up in P19, just behind teammate Charles Leclerc.
The McLaren drivers were far ahead of the remaining drivers, with the German's Sauber third fastest, 0.619secs slower than Piastri's pace.
The Aston Martin of the Spanish driver was in fourth, with the Sauber of Gabriel Bortoleto fifth from Mercedes' Russell and Alpine's Pierre Gasly and Williams' Sainz.
