Lando Norris Tops Piastri in Sao Paulo Practice Session
The British driver has outscored Oscar Piastri at all of the last five grands prix.
The McLaren driver just pipped team-mate and championship contender the Australian for the top spot in the final moments of the practice session at the Brazilian Grand Prix.
The British racer, who seized the championship lead from Piastri by just one point after taking the win in Mexico City recently, outpaced the Melbourne-born driver by 0.023 seconds.
Until that point, Piastri had been the fastest McLaren driver for most of the session before sprint qualifying set to begin at 18:30 GMT.
Max Verstappen, the sole remaining contender in the points battle, lying with a 36-point deficit behind Norris, was classified in 17th position as his team ran a unique setup.
Verstappen's team-mate the Japanese driver was the sole competitor to go off, though minor, when he rotated at the fourth corner during the early running.
The Japanese lost control over the curbs on exit before sliding over the gravel trap, and was fortunate to avoid just a light touch of the fence.
The Ferrari of the seven-time champion also spun, at the conclusion of the session, rotating twice through the high-speed Mergulho turn before the final bend on to the main straight.
The veteran finished practice in P19, one place behind teammate Charles Leclerc.
The McLaren pair were far ahead of the remaining drivers, with Nico Hulkenberg's car third fastest, 0.619 seconds off Piastri's best.
The Aston Martin of the Spanish driver was fourth quickest, with the Sauber of Bortoleto ahead of Mercedes' Russell and the Alpine of Gasly and Williams' Sainz.
