Lando Norris Edges Out Piastri in Sao Paulo Practice
Lando Norris has beaten Oscar Piastri at all of the previous five grands prix.
The McLaren driver just pipped team-mate and championship contender the Australian for the top spot in the closing stages of the practice session at the Brazilian Grand Prix.
The British racer, who grabbed the championship lead from his teammate by one point after winning in the Mexican Grand Prix two weeks ago, outpaced the Australian by a mere 0.023s.
Earlier in the session, Oscar Piastri had been the quickest of the McLaren pair during the running before sprint qualifying set to begin at 18:30 GMT.
Max Verstappen, the only other driver in the championship fight, trailing with a 36-point deficit Norris, was classified in 17th position as his Red Bull team opted for a unique setup.
Verstappen's team-mate Yuki Tsunoda was the sole competitor to have an incident, if briefly, when he lost control at corner four soon after starting.
The Japanese spun out over the track edges before sliding over the run-off area, and was lucky to get away with just a minor contact of the wall.
Ferrari's the seven-time champion also had a spin, at the conclusion of the practice, spinning around through the fast downhill Mergulho turn approaching the last turn on to the main straight.
The seven-time champion finished practice in 19th place, just behind teammate Charles Leclerc.
The McLaren drivers were far ahead of the other competitors, with Nico Hulkenberg's car P3, 0.619secs off the Australian's time.
The Aston Martin of Fernando Alonso was fourth fastest, with the Sauber of Bortoleto in front of the Mercedes of George Russell and the Alpine of Gasly and the Williams of Sainz.
