Norris Edges Out Piastri in Sao Paulo Practice Session
Lando Norris has beaten Oscar Piastri at all of the last five grands prix.
Lando Norris just pipped fellow driver and championship contender Oscar Piastri for the top spot in the closing stages of practice at the Sao Paulo Grand Prix.
Norris, who seized the title advantage from Piastri by one point after taking the win in the Mexican Grand Prix two weeks ago, topped the Australian by 0.023 seconds.
Earlier in the session, Piastri had been the leading McLaren throughout the hour before sprint qualifying set to begin at the evening session.
The Red Bull star, the other racer in realistic title contention, lying with a 36-point deficit behind Norris, finished in P17 as his Red Bull team opted for a alternative strategy.
Verstappen's team-mate Yuki Tsunoda was the sole competitor to go off, though minor, when he lost control at Turn Four during the early running.
Tsunoda spun out over the curbs on exit before spinning across the escape zone, and was lucky to avoid just a light touch of the wall.
The Ferrari of Lewis Hamilton also lost it, at the very end of the session, rotating twice through the fast downhill Mergulho corner leading to the final corner on to the main straight.
The seven-time champion finished practice in 19th, one place behind teammate the Monegasque driver.
The McLaren pair were far ahead of the remaining drivers, with the German's car in third, over half a second off Piastri's pace.
The Aston Martin of the Spanish driver was in fourth, with Sauber's Gabriel Bortoleto ahead of the Mercedes of George Russell and the Alpine of Pierre Gasly and the Williams of Sainz.
