Lando Norris Tops Oscar Piastri in Sao Paulo Practice
Lando Norris has outperformed Oscar Piastri at all of the last five race weekends.
The McLaren driver just pipped team-mate and championship contender Oscar Piastri for the top spot in the dying seconds of practice at the Brazilian Grand Prix.
Norris, who grabbed the championship lead from his teammate by just one point after his victory in the Mexican Grand Prix a fortnight back, outpaced the Australian by a mere 0.023s.
Until that point, Piastri had been the quickest of the McLaren pair throughout the hour before sprint qualifying due at the evening session.
Max Verstappen, the only other driver in the points battle, lying 36 points behind behind Norris, finished in 17th position as his Red Bull team followed a unique setup.
His teammate the Japanese driver was the only driver to go off, though minor, when he rotated at corner four soon after starting.
The Japanese lost control over the curbs on exit before sliding over the escape zone, and was blessed to get away with just a light touch of the barrier.
Ferrari's Lewis Hamilton also spun, at the final moments of the session, turning around through the high-speed Mergulho corner before the final corner on to the start-finish straight.
The seven-time champion wrapped up in 19th, one place behind teammate the Monegasque driver.
The McLaren drivers were far ahead of the other competitors, with the German's car P3, 0.619secs behind Piastri's pace.
Aston Martin's Fernando Alonso was fourth fastest, with the Sauber of Bortoleto in front of Mercedes' George Russell and Alpine's Gasly and Williams' Sainz.
