Norris Tops Oscar Piastri in Sao Paulo Practice
Lando Norris has outperformed his teammate at each of the last five grands prix.
Lando Norris edged out fellow driver and championship contender Oscar Piastri for the quickest lap in the closing stages of practice at the Sao Paulo Grand Prix.
The British racer, who seized the championship lead from his teammate by a single point after taking the win in Mexico City a fortnight back, beat the Australian by a mere 0.023s.
Before then, Piastri had been the leading McLaren throughout the hour before the sprint shootout due at 18:30 GMT.
The Red Bull star, the only other driver in realistic title contention, lying with a 36-point deficit Norris, ended up in 17th position as his team opted for a alternative strategy.
His teammate the Japanese driver was the sole competitor to go off, though minor, when he spun at the fourth corner soon after starting.
The Japanese lost control over the exit kerbs before sliding over the escape zone, and was fortunate to escape with just a light touch of the barrier.
The Ferrari of the seven-time champion also had a spin, at the final moments of the practice, turning around through the fast downhill corner before the final bend on to the pit straight.
The seven-time champion finished practice in 19th, one place behind teammate Charles Leclerc.
The McLaren pair were significantly quicker of the other competitors, with Nico Hulkenberg's car in third, 0.619 seconds behind Piastri's best.
Aston Martin's Fernando Alonso was in fourth, with the Sauber of Bortoleto fifth from Mercedes' Russell and the Alpine of Pierre Gasly and the Williams of Carlos Sainz.
