Norris Edges Out Piastri in Sao Paulo Practice
The British driver has outscored his teammate at all of the past five race weekends.
Lando Norris edged out team-mate and championship contender the Australian for the top spot in the closing stages of the practice session at the Brazilian Grand Prix.
The British racer, who took the title advantage from his teammate by a single point after winning in Mexico City a fortnight back, topped the Australian by 0.023 seconds.
Before then, Oscar Piastri had been the quickest of the McLaren pair during the running before sprint qualifying due at 6:30 PM GMT.
Max Verstappen, the sole remaining contender in the championship fight, trailing with a 36-point deficit Norris, was classified in 17th place as his team followed a different programme.
Verstappen's team-mate the Japanese driver was the sole competitor to go off, though minor, when he lost control at corner four soon after starting.
The Japanese slid over the track edges before sliding over the escape zone, and was fortunate to get away with just a minor contact of the barrier.
Ferrari's Lewis Hamilton also spun, at the conclusion of the session, spinning around through the quick descending Mergulho turn approaching the last turn on to the pit straight.
The seven-time champion ended the session in 19th place, just behind teammate Charles Leclerc.
Norris and Piastri were significantly quicker of the other competitors, with Nico Hulkenberg's car in third, 0.619 seconds slower than Piastri's pace.
The Aston Martin of the Spanish driver was in fourth, with Sauber's Bortoleto in front of the Mercedes of George Russell and Alpine's Gasly and the Williams of Carlos Sainz.
