Lando Norris Edges Out Piastri in Brazilian Practice
Lando Norris has beaten Oscar Piastri at each of the last five grands prix.
Lando Norris just pipped team-mate and championship contender Oscar Piastri for the quickest lap in the final moments of practice at the Sao Paulo Grand Prix.
The British racer, who grabbed the championship lead from his teammate by a single point after his victory in Mexico City two weeks ago, beat the Melbourne-born driver by a mere 0.023s.
Before then, Oscar Piastri had been the leading McLaren for most of the session before sprint qualifying scheduled for 18:30 GMT.
The Red Bull star, the sole remaining contender in the championship fight, sitting with a 36-point deficit behind Norris, ended up in 17th position as his team ran a unique setup.
His teammate Yuki Tsunoda was the only driver to go off, albeit lightly, when he spun at the fourth corner early in the session.
The Japanese lost control over the curbs on exit before rotating through the run-off area, and was lucky to avoid just a slight brush of the wall.
Ferrari's the seven-time champion also had a spin, at the final moments of the practice, spinning around through the quick descending Mergulho turn approaching the final bend on to the pit straight.
The seven-time champion wrapped up in 19th, just behind teammate Charles Leclerc.
The McLaren drivers were far ahead of the other competitors, with the German's car third fastest, 0.619 seconds off the Australian's time.
Aston Martin's the Spanish driver was fourth fastest, with the Sauber of Gabriel Bortoleto ahead of Mercedes' George Russell and the Alpine of Pierre Gasly and the Williams of Carlos Sainz.
