Lando Norris Leads Oscar Piastri in Sao Paulo Practice
The British driver has outscored Oscar Piastri at each of the last five race weekends.
Lando Norris just pipped team-mate and championship contender Oscar Piastri for the fastest time in the final moments of practice at the Brazilian Grand Prix.
Norris, who grabbed the title advantage from Piastri by a single point after taking the win in the Mexican Grand Prix recently, beat the Australian by a mere 0.023s.
Before then, Piastri had been the fastest McLaren driver during the running before sprint qualifying due at 6:30 PM GMT.
Max Verstappen, the other racer in the points battle, lying with a 36-point deficit behind Norris, finished in 17th place as his Red Bull team followed a different programme.
Verstappen's team-mate the Japanese driver was the sole competitor to go off, though minor, when he rotated at Turn Four during the early running.
The Japanese spun out over the exit kerbs before sliding over the run-off area, and was lucky to avoid just a minor contact of the wall.
Ferrari's Lewis Hamilton also spun, at the conclusion of the session, turning around through the high-speed corner before the final corner on to the main straight.
The seven-time champion wrapped up in 19th place, trailing teammate Charles Leclerc.
Norris and Piastri were well clear 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 the Mercedes of George Russell and Alpine's Gasly and Williams' Sainz.
