Norris Tops Piastri in Brazilian Practice
Lando Norris has outperformed Oscar Piastri at all of the past five race weekends.
The McLaren driver edged out fellow driver and title rival Oscar Piastri for the top spot in the closing stages of the practice session at the Brazilian Grand Prix.
Norris, who seized the points lead from Piastri by one point after winning in Mexico City recently, topped the Melbourne-born driver by a mere 0.023s.
Earlier in the session, Piastri had been the quickest of the McLaren pair for most of the session before sprint qualifying due at the evening session.
Max Verstappen, the only other driver in the points battle, trailing 36 points Norris, finished in 17th position as his Red Bull team opted for a alternative strategy.
Verstappen's team-mate the Japanese driver was the only driver to have an incident, albeit lightly, when he rotated at Turn Four soon after starting.
The Japanese slid over the exit kerbs before rotating through the escape zone, and was blessed to escape with just a minor contact of the fence.
The Ferrari of the seven-time champion also spun, at the very end of the practice, turning around through the high-speed Mergulho corner approaching the final bend on to the start-finish straight.
The seven-time champion wrapped up in P19, one place behind teammate Charles Leclerc.
The McLaren drivers were significantly quicker of the other competitors, with Nico Hulkenberg's Sauber P3, over half a second off the Australian's time.
Aston Martin's the Spanish driver was in fourth, with the Sauber of Gabriel Bortoleto in front of Mercedes' George Russell and Alpine's Gasly and the Williams of Sainz.
