Norris Tops Oscar Piastri in Brazilian Practice Session
Lando Norris has beaten his teammate at each of the previous five race weekends.
Lando Norris just pipped team-mate and title rival Oscar Piastri for the quickest lap 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 winning in Mexico City recently, beat the Australian by 0.023 seconds.
Until that point, Piastri had been the quickest of the McLaren pair during the running before the sprint shootout set to begin at 6:30 PM GMT.
Max Verstappen, the only other driver in realistic title contention, lying 36 points behind Norris, was classified in 17th place as his team opted for a unique setup.
His teammate the Japanese driver was the only driver to go off, if briefly, when he lost control at corner four during the early running.
The Japanese spun out over the exit kerbs before sliding over the gravel trap, and was lucky to avoid just a slight brush of the barrier.
The Ferrari of Lewis Hamilton also had a spin, at the final moments of the session, turning around through the quick descending Mergulho turn before the last turn on to the main straight.
Hamilton finished practice in 19th place, one place behind teammate Charles Leclerc.
Norris and Piastri were significantly quicker of the remaining drivers, with the German's car third fastest, 0.619secs off Piastri's pace.
The Aston Martin of Fernando Alonso was fourth fastest, with Sauber's Bortoleto ahead of Mercedes' Russell and Alpine's Gasly and the Williams of Carlos Sainz.
