Lando Norris Edges Out Piastri in Sao Paulo Practice
The British driver has outperformed Oscar Piastri at each of the last five grands prix.
The McLaren driver narrowly beat team-mate and championship contender Oscar Piastri for the top spot in the dying seconds of practice at the Sao Paulo Grand Prix.
The British racer, who grabbed the championship lead from his teammate by just one point after winning in Mexico City recently, outpaced the Australian by a mere 0.023s.
Earlier in the session, Piastri had been the quickest of the McLaren pair throughout the hour before sprint qualifying scheduled for the evening session.
Max Verstappen, the sole remaining contender in the points battle, sitting 36 points behind Norris, ended up in P17 as his team followed a unique setup.
His teammate Yuki Tsunoda was the sole competitor to go off, though minor, when he lost control at the fourth corner early in the session.
The Japanese lost control over the curbs on exit before spinning across the escape zone, and was fortunate to avoid just a light touch of the wall.
Ferrari's Lewis Hamilton also lost it, at the final moments of the session, turning around through the fast downhill Mergulho turn approaching the final corner on to the start-finish straight.
The veteran ended the session in 19th, just behind teammate the Monegasque driver.
The McLaren drivers were well clear of the rest of the field, with the German's car third fastest, 0.619 seconds slower than Piastri's best.
Aston Martin's the Spanish driver was fourth quickest, with Sauber's Bortoleto ahead of the Mercedes of George Russell and Alpine's Pierre Gasly and Williams' Sainz.
