Norris Tops Piastri in Brazilian Practice Session
Lando Norris has beaten Oscar Piastri at all of the past five grands prix.
Lando Norris edged out team-mate and championship contender the Australian for the top spot in the final moments of the practice session at the Sao Paulo Grand Prix.
The British racer, who seized the title advantage from Piastri by one point after taking the win in the Mexican Grand Prix two weeks ago, outpaced the Australian by a tiny margin of 0.023secs.
Earlier in the session, Oscar Piastri had been the quickest of the McLaren pair during the running before sprint qualifying scheduled for the evening session.
Max Verstappen, the sole remaining contender in realistic title contention, sitting with a 36-point deficit Norris, finished in 17th place as his Red Bull team opted for a different programme.
His teammate the Japanese driver was the sole competitor to crash, though minor, when he rotated at the fourth corner early in the session.
The Japanese slid over the track edges before spinning across the escape zone, and was lucky to get away with just a light touch of the barrier.
Ferrari's Lewis Hamilton also had a spin, at the conclusion of the session, rotating twice through the quick descending Mergulho turn before the last turn on to the start-finish straight.
The seven-time champion ended the session in 19th place, just behind teammate the Monegasque driver.
The McLaren drivers were well clear of the remaining drivers, with the German's car P3, 0.619 seconds off the Australian's time.
Aston Martin's the Spanish driver was fourth fastest, with the Sauber of Bortoleto in front of the Mercedes of Russell and Alpine's Pierre Gasly and the Williams of Carlos Sainz.
