Norris Leads Piastri in Sao Paulo Practice Session
Lando Norris has outperformed his teammate at each of the last five race weekends.
The McLaren driver narrowly beat fellow driver and championship contender Oscar Piastri for the fastest time in the final moments of practice at the Sao Paulo Grand Prix.
The British racer, who seized the championship lead from his teammate by one point after his victory in Mexico City two weeks ago, topped the Australian by 0.023 seconds.
Until that point, Oscar Piastri had been the fastest McLaren driver throughout the hour before sprint qualifying scheduled for the evening session.
Max Verstappen, the sole remaining contender in the points battle, trailing 36 points behind behind Norris, ended up in P17 as his team followed a unique setup.
Verstappen's team-mate Yuki Tsunoda was the only driver to go off, if briefly, when he spun at Turn Four early in the session.
Tsunoda lost control over the curbs on exit before sliding over the gravel trap, and was fortunate to get away with just a light touch of the barrier.
The Ferrari of the seven-time champion also lost it, at the final moments of the session, turning around through the fast downhill Mergulho turn before the last turn on to the main straight.
The seven-time champion wrapped up in 19th place, just behind team-mate Charles Leclerc.
The McLaren pair were well clear of the remaining drivers, with Nico Hulkenberg's Sauber P3, 0.619 seconds behind Piastri's pace.
Aston Martin's Fernando Alonso was in fourth, with Sauber's Gabriel Bortoleto ahead of the Mercedes of Russell and the Alpine of Pierre Gasly and the Williams of Carlos Sainz.
