Lando Norris Tops Oscar Piastri in Sao Paulo Practice
Lando Norris has outperformed Oscar Piastri at all of the previous five race weekends.
Lando Norris edged out fellow driver and title rival Oscar Piastri for the top spot in the final moments of practice at the Sao Paulo Grand Prix.
The British racer, who grabbed the title advantage from his teammate by a single point after winning in the Mexican Grand Prix two weeks ago, outpaced the Australian by 0.023 seconds.
Earlier in the session, Piastri had been the leading McLaren for most of the session before sprint qualifying scheduled for 18:30 GMT.
The Red Bull star, the other racer in realistic title contention, trailing 36 points behind behind Norris, finished in 17th place as his team ran a unique setup.
His teammate the Japanese driver was the only driver to go off, if briefly, when he lost control at the fourth corner soon after starting.
The Japanese lost control over the curbs on exit before spinning across the gravel trap, and was fortunate to escape with just a light touch of the barrier.
The Ferrari of the seven-time champion also spun, at the final moments of the practice, rotating twice through the fast downhill Mergulho turn leading to the last turn on to the pit straight.
The seven-time champion finished practice in 19th, trailing team-mate the Monegasque driver.
The McLaren drivers were far ahead of the other competitors, with the German's car in third, 0.619 seconds behind the Australian's time.
The Aston Martin of Fernando Alonso was in fourth, with the Sauber of Gabriel Bortoleto fifth from Mercedes' Russell and the Alpine of Pierre Gasly and Williams' Sainz.
