Lando Norris Tops Oscar Piastri in Brazilian Practice
Lando Norris has outperformed Oscar Piastri at all of the last five grands prix.
Lando Norris narrowly beat team-mate and championship contender the Australian for the top spot in the final moments of the practice session at the Brazilian Grand Prix.
Norris, who seized the points lead from Piastri by just one point after winning in Mexico City a fortnight back, outpaced the Australian by a mere 0.023s.
Until that point, Oscar Piastri had been the quickest of the McLaren pair during the running before the sprint shootout set to begin at the evening session.
The Red Bull star, the other racer in realistic title contention, lying 36 points behind Norris, ended up in 17th place as his Red Bull team ran a different programme.
Verstappen's team-mate Yuki Tsunoda was the only driver to go off, if briefly, when he lost control at Turn Four early in the session.
The Japanese spun out over the curbs on exit before spinning across the escape zone, and was fortunate to escape with just a minor contact of the wall.
The Ferrari of Lewis Hamilton also had a spin, at the conclusion of the practice, turning around through the high-speed Mergulho corner before the final bend on to the pit straight.
The veteran wrapped up in 19th, just behind team-mate the Monegasque driver.
Norris and Piastri were well clear of the other competitors, with Nico Hulkenberg's car third fastest, over half a second slower than the Australian's time.
The Aston Martin of the Spanish driver was in fourth, with the Sauber of Gabriel Bortoleto ahead of Mercedes' Russell and the Alpine of Pierre Gasly and Williams' Carlos Sainz.
