Lando Norris Tops Oscar Piastri in Sao Paulo Practice
The British driver has beaten Oscar Piastri at all of the past five race weekends.
Lando Norris just pipped team-mate and championship contender Oscar Piastri for the fastest time in the closing stages of practice at the Brazilian Grand Prix.
Norris, who grabbed the championship lead from Piastri by a single point after his victory in the Mexican Grand Prix two weeks ago, outpaced the Melbourne-born driver by a mere 0.023s.
Until that point, Piastri had been the leading McLaren during the running before sprint qualifying set to begin at the evening session.
The Red Bull star, the other racer in the points battle, sitting 36 points behind Norris, ended up in P17 as his team ran a alternative strategy.
His teammate the Japanese driver was the sole competitor to go off, albeit lightly, when he lost control at corner four early in the session.
The Japanese slid over the exit kerbs before spinning across the escape zone, and was fortunate to escape with just a minor contact of the wall.
Ferrari's the seven-time champion also spun, at the final moments of the practice, turning around through the fast downhill corner before the final bend on to the main straight.
The veteran wrapped up in 19th place, trailing team-mate the Monegasque driver.
The McLaren drivers were well clear of the other competitors, with the German's car P3, over half a second behind Piastri's best.
Aston Martin's the Spanish driver was fourth quickest, with Sauber's Gabriel Bortoleto ahead of the Mercedes of George Russell and Alpine's Gasly and Williams' Carlos Sainz.
