Norris Edges Out Oscar Piastri in Brazilian Practice Session
The British driver has outscored Oscar Piastri at each of the last five grands prix.
Lando Norris just pipped team-mate and championship contender Oscar Piastri for the top spot in the closing stages of the practice session at the Sao Paulo Grand Prix.
Norris, who seized the championship lead from his teammate by just one point after his victory in Mexico City two weeks ago, outpaced the Australian by 0.023 seconds.
Until that point, Piastri had been the leading McLaren for most of the session before the sprint shootout due at the evening session.
The Red Bull star, the other racer in the championship fight, sitting 36 points Norris, was classified in 17th position as his Red Bull team opted for a different programme.
His teammate the Japanese driver was the sole competitor to crash, if briefly, when he spun at corner four early in the session.
Tsunoda spun out over the exit kerbs before sliding over the gravel trap, and was lucky to escape with just a light touch of the barrier.
Ferrari's the seven-time champion also had a spin, at the conclusion of the practice, rotating twice through the high-speed Mergulho turn approaching the last turn on to the pit straight.
The veteran ended the session in P19, trailing team-mate the Monegasque driver.
The McLaren drivers were well clear of the other competitors, with the German's car third fastest, 0.619secs slower than the Australian's time.
Aston Martin's the Spanish driver was fourth quickest, with the Sauber of Gabriel Bortoleto in front of Mercedes' Russell and the Alpine of Gasly and the Williams of Sainz.
