Lando Norris Leads Oscar Piastri in Brazilian Practice
The British driver has outscored Oscar Piastri at each of the previous five race weekends.
Lando Norris just pipped fellow driver and title rival Oscar Piastri for the top spot in the closing stages of the practice session at the Sao Paulo Grand Prix.
The British racer, who grabbed the championship lead from Piastri by a single point after winning in the Mexican Grand Prix two weeks ago, outpaced the Melbourne-born driver by 0.023 seconds.
Earlier in the session, Piastri had been the quickest of the McLaren pair throughout the hour before the sprint shootout set to begin at 6:30 PM GMT.
Max Verstappen, the sole remaining contender in the points battle, lying 36 points behind behind Norris, ended up in 17th position as his team followed a unique setup.
His teammate Yuki Tsunoda was the sole competitor to crash, though minor, when he lost control at Turn Four during the early running.
The Japanese spun out over the exit kerbs before rotating through the escape zone, and was fortunate to get away with just a minor contact of the barrier.
Ferrari's Lewis Hamilton also lost it, at the very end of the practice, spinning around through the fast downhill Mergulho corner leading to the final bend on to the main straight.
The veteran finished practice in 19th place, trailing team-mate the Monegasque driver.
Norris and Piastri were well clear of the remaining drivers, with Nico Hulkenberg's Sauber P3, 0.619secs behind the Australian's time.
The Aston Martin of Fernando Alonso was in fourth, with the Sauber of Gabriel Bortoleto in front of Mercedes' Russell and the Alpine of Gasly and Williams' Sainz.
