Norris Leads Oscar Piastri in Sao Paulo Practice
Lando Norris has outperformed Oscar Piastri at all of the last five grands prix.
Lando Norris edged out team-mate and championship contender Oscar Piastri for the fastest time in the closing stages of the practice session at the Brazilian Grand Prix.
Norris, who seized the points lead from his teammate by just one point after his victory in Mexico City a fortnight back, beat the Melbourne-born driver by a mere 0.023s.
Before then, Piastri had been the fastest McLaren driver during the running before the sprint shootout due at 18:30 GMT.
The Red Bull star, the other racer in the points battle, trailing with a 36-point deficit behind Norris, finished in P17 as his team ran a unique setup.
Verstappen's team-mate the Japanese driver was the sole competitor to go off, if briefly, when he spun at Turn Four early in the session.
Tsunoda spun out over the curbs on exit before sliding over the escape zone, and was fortunate to escape with just a minor contact of the barrier.
The Ferrari of Lewis Hamilton also spun, at the conclusion of the practice, spinning around through the fast downhill Mergulho corner before the final bend on to the start-finish straight.
The seven-time champion finished practice in 19th, one place behind teammate the Monegasque driver.
The McLaren pair were significantly quicker of the other competitors, with the German's car third fastest, over half a second behind Piastri's pace.
The Aston Martin of Fernando Alonso was fourth fastest, with Sauber's Bortoleto ahead of Mercedes' Russell and the Alpine of Pierre Gasly and the Williams of Sainz.
