Norris Edges Out Oscar Piastri in Brazilian Practice
Lando Norris has outscored his teammate at each of the previous five grands prix.
Lando Norris just pipped team-mate and title rival Oscar Piastri for the quickest lap in the final moments of practice at the Brazilian Grand Prix.
The British racer, who seized the points lead from his teammate by a single point after his victory in the Mexican Grand Prix two weeks ago, beat the Australian by 0.023 seconds.
Before then, Piastri had been the quickest of the McLaren pair throughout the hour before sprint qualifying due at 6:30 PM GMT.
Max Verstappen, the other racer in the points battle, sitting 36 points behind behind Norris, finished in 17th position as his team ran a unique setup.
Verstappen's team-mate Yuki Tsunoda was the only driver to have an incident, though minor, when he spun at the fourth corner soon after starting.
Tsunoda lost control over the curbs on exit before spinning across the gravel trap, and was lucky to get away with just a slight brush of the fence.
Ferrari's the seven-time champion also lost it, at the conclusion of the practice, turning around through the high-speed corner leading to the last turn on to the start-finish straight.
The veteran wrapped up in P19, one place behind teammate the Monegasque driver.
The McLaren pair were significantly quicker of the remaining drivers, with Nico Hulkenberg's car in third, 0.619secs slower than the Australian's time.
Aston Martin's the Spanish driver was in fourth, with Sauber's Bortoleto fifth from Mercedes' Russell and the Alpine of Gasly and Williams' Sainz.
