Lando Norris Edges Out Piastri in Brazilian Practice
Lando Norris has outscored his teammate at each of the past five race weekends.
The McLaren driver just pipped team-mate and title rival Oscar Piastri for the top spot in the final moments of the practice session at the Brazilian Grand Prix.
Norris, who took the title advantage from Piastri by a single point after winning in Mexico City recently, topped the Australian by a mere 0.023s.
Earlier in the session, Piastri had been the quickest of the McLaren pair throughout the hour before the sprint shootout set to begin at 6:30 PM GMT.
Max Verstappen, the other racer in the points battle, sitting 36 points Norris, was classified in P17 as his team opted for a unique setup.
Verstappen's team-mate the Japanese driver was the only driver to crash, if briefly, when he rotated at corner four during the early running.
The Japanese spun out over the exit kerbs before sliding over the run-off area, and was blessed to avoid just a light touch of the wall.
The Ferrari of Lewis Hamilton also lost it, at the very end of the practice, spinning around through the fast downhill Mergulho turn leading to the final bend on to the start-finish straight.
The seven-time champion wrapped up in P19, trailing team-mate Charles Leclerc.
The McLaren pair were far ahead of the other competitors, with the German's car third fastest, over half a second slower than Piastri's best.
Aston Martin's the Spanish driver was fourth fastest, with the Sauber of Bortoleto ahead of the Mercedes of Russell and Alpine's Pierre Gasly and Williams' Sainz.
