Lando Norris Edges Out Oscar Piastri in Brazilian Practice Session
Lando Norris has outperformed Oscar Piastri at each of the past five grands prix.
The McLaren driver narrowly beat fellow driver and title rival Oscar Piastri for the top spot in the final moments of practice at the Sao Paulo Grand Prix.
Norris, who took the championship lead from Piastri by one point after winning in Mexico City two weeks ago, outpaced the Melbourne-born driver by a mere 0.023s.
Until that point, Piastri had been the fastest McLaren driver throughout the hour before sprint qualifying scheduled for 6:30 PM GMT.
The Red Bull star, the sole remaining contender in the points battle, sitting 36 points behind Norris, was classified in P17 as his team opted for a unique setup.
His teammate the Japanese driver was the only driver to go off, if briefly, when he lost control at Turn Four soon after starting.
The Japanese slid over the exit kerbs before spinning across the run-off area, and was fortunate to escape with just a slight brush of the wall.
Ferrari's Lewis Hamilton also spun, at the final moments of the practice, rotating twice through the quick descending Mergulho turn leading to the final bend on to the main straight.
The veteran finished practice in 19th place, one place behind teammate the Monegasque driver.
Norris and Piastri were significantly quicker of the rest of the field, with the German's car in third, 0.619 seconds off Piastri's best.
Aston Martin's the Spanish driver was fourth fastest, with Sauber's Bortoleto ahead of Mercedes' George Russell and Alpine's Pierre Gasly and Williams' Carlos Sainz.
