Norris Tops Oscar Piastri in Sao Paulo Practice
Lando Norris has outperformed 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 the practice session at the Sao Paulo Grand Prix.
Norris, who seized the title advantage from his teammate by one point after his victory in Mexico City recently, topped the Melbourne-born driver by a mere 0.023s.
Before then, Oscar Piastri had been the quickest of the McLaren pair for most of the session before sprint qualifying set to begin at the evening session.
Max Verstappen, the sole remaining contender in realistic title contention, lying 36 points Norris, ended up in P17 as his Red Bull team ran a unique setup.
Verstappen's team-mate Yuki Tsunoda was the only driver to go off, albeit lightly, when he spun at Turn Four soon after starting.
The Japanese slid over the track edges before spinning across the gravel trap, and was lucky to escape with just a light touch of the barrier.
The Ferrari of the seven-time champion also lost it, at the conclusion of the session, rotating twice through the quick descending Mergulho turn approaching the final bend on to the pit straight.
The veteran wrapped up in P19, one place behind team-mate Charles Leclerc.
The McLaren pair were far ahead of the other competitors, with Nico Hulkenberg's Sauber third fastest, over half a second off the Australian's time.
The Aston Martin of the Spanish driver was fourth quickest, with the Sauber of Gabriel Bortoleto ahead of the Mercedes of George Russell and the Alpine of Gasly and Williams' Sainz.
