Norris Edges Out Oscar Piastri in Brazilian Practice
Lando Norris has outscored Oscar Piastri at each of the last five race weekends.
Lando Norris narrowly beat team-mate and title rival the Australian for the quickest lap in the final moments of the practice session at the Brazilian Grand Prix.
Norris, who took the points lead from Piastri by a single point after taking the win in Mexico City a fortnight back, topped the Melbourne-born driver by a mere 0.023s.
Earlier in the session, Oscar Piastri had been the fastest McLaren driver throughout the hour before the sprint shootout set to begin at the evening session.
The Red Bull star, the other racer in the points battle, lying with a 36-point deficit Norris, finished in 17th position as his team opted for a alternative strategy.
His teammate Yuki Tsunoda was the sole competitor to go off, albeit lightly, when he lost control at the fourth corner during the early running.
Tsunoda spun out over the curbs on exit before rotating through the run-off area, and was lucky to get away with just a light touch of the barrier.
Ferrari's Lewis Hamilton also had a spin, at the very end of the practice, turning around through the high-speed Mergulho corner leading to the final corner on to the pit straight.
Hamilton finished practice in P19, trailing team-mate Charles Leclerc.
Norris and Piastri were significantly quicker of the rest of the field, with the German's car P3, 0.619secs off the Australian's time.
Aston Martin's Fernando Alonso was fourth quickest, with the Sauber of Bortoleto in front of Mercedes' George Russell and the Alpine of Gasly and the Williams of Carlos Sainz.