Lando Norris Tops Oscar Piastri in Brazilian Practice Session
Lando Norris has outscored his teammate at all of the past five race weekends.
The McLaren driver edged out team-mate and title rival Oscar Piastri for the fastest time in the dying seconds of practice at the Sao Paulo Grand Prix.
Norris, who grabbed the title advantage from Piastri by one point after his victory in the Mexican Grand Prix two weeks ago, topped the Australian by a mere 0.023s.
Until that point, Piastri had been the leading McLaren for most of the session before the sprint shootout set to begin at 6:30 PM GMT.
Max Verstappen, the only other driver in realistic title contention, trailing 36 points Norris, finished in P17 as his Red Bull team opted for a alternative strategy.
Verstappen's team-mate the Japanese driver was the sole competitor to crash, albeit lightly, when he lost control at corner four during the early running.
The Japanese spun out over the curbs on exit before spinning across the run-off area, and was fortunate to get away with just a light touch of the fence.
Ferrari's Lewis Hamilton also lost it, at the very end of the practice, rotating twice through the fast downhill Mergulho turn before the final bend on to the pit straight.
The seven-time champion wrapped up in 19th place, trailing team-mate the Monegasque driver.
The McLaren drivers were well clear of the rest of the field, with Nico Hulkenberg's car third fastest, 0.619secs off the Australian's time.
The Aston Martin of Fernando Alonso was fourth quickest, with the Sauber of Gabriel Bortoleto ahead of Mercedes' Russell and the Alpine of Gasly and the Williams of Carlos Sainz.
