Norris Edges Out Oscar Piastri in Brazilian Practice
Lando Norris has outperformed his teammate at each of the past five race weekends.
Lando Norris just pipped team-mate and championship contender Oscar Piastri for the top spot in the dying seconds of practice at the Sao Paulo Grand Prix.
Norris, who grabbed the championship lead from his teammate by a single point after winning in the Mexican Grand Prix two weeks ago, outpaced the Melbourne-born driver by 0.023 seconds.
Until that point, Oscar Piastri had been the quickest of the McLaren pair throughout the hour before sprint qualifying scheduled for 18:30 GMT.
The Red Bull star, the other racer in realistic title contention, trailing 36 points behind behind Norris, finished in P17 as his team opted for a unique setup.
His teammate Yuki Tsunoda was the sole competitor to go off, though minor, when he rotated at Turn Four soon after starting.
The Japanese spun out over the track edges before sliding over the escape zone, and was fortunate to get away with just a minor contact of the barrier.
The Ferrari of the seven-time champion also had a spin, at the conclusion of the practice, spinning around through the quick descending Mergulho corner before the final bend on to the main straight.
The veteran wrapped up in 19th, one place behind teammate Charles Leclerc.
Norris and Piastri were far ahead of the other competitors, with Nico Hulkenberg's Sauber third fastest, 0.619secs slower than Piastri's best.
The Aston Martin of Fernando Alonso was fourth fastest, with the Sauber of Bortoleto in front of Mercedes' Russell and the Alpine of Gasly and the Williams of Carlos Sainz.
