Lando Norris Tops Oscar Piastri in Sao Paulo Practice Session
Lando Norris has beaten Oscar Piastri at each of the previous five race weekends.
Lando Norris just pipped team-mate and title rival the Australian for the fastest time in the closing stages of practice at the Brazilian Grand Prix.
Norris, who took the championship lead from Piastri by a single point after winning in Mexico City two weeks ago, topped the Australian by a mere 0.023s.
Earlier in the session, Piastri had been the leading McLaren throughout the hour before sprint qualifying scheduled for the evening session.
Max Verstappen, the only other driver in the points battle, trailing 36 points behind Norris, ended up in 17th position as his Red Bull team opted for a alternative strategy.
His teammate the Japanese driver was the only driver to go off, albeit lightly, when he rotated at Turn Four during the early running.
Tsunoda lost control over the curbs on exit before spinning across the escape zone, and was fortunate to avoid just a slight brush of the wall.
Ferrari's the seven-time champion also lost it, at the very end of the session, spinning around through the fast downhill corner leading to the last turn on to the pit straight.
The seven-time champion ended the session in 19th place, trailing teammate the Monegasque driver.
The McLaren drivers were far ahead of the other competitors, with Nico Hulkenberg's Sauber third fastest, 0.619secs off the Australian's time.
Aston Martin's Fernando Alonso was fourth quickest, with Sauber's Bortoleto ahead of Mercedes' Russell and Alpine's Pierre Gasly and the Williams of Sainz.
