Lando Norris Leads Piastri in Sao Paulo Practice
Lando Norris has outperformed his teammate at each of the last five grands prix.
The McLaren driver just pipped team-mate and championship contender Oscar Piastri for the top spot in the closing stages of practice at the Brazilian Grand Prix.
The British racer, who took the championship lead from Piastri by a single point after his victory in the Mexican Grand Prix two weeks ago, outpaced the Australian by 0.023 seconds.
Until that point, Piastri had been the quickest of the McLaren pair during the running before sprint qualifying due at 6:30 PM GMT.
The Red Bull star, the only other driver in the championship fight, lying 36 points behind Norris, ended up in 17th position as his team ran a unique setup.
Verstappen's team-mate Yuki Tsunoda was the only driver to go off, though minor, when he lost control at corner four during the early running.
The Japanese spun out over the exit kerbs before sliding over the gravel trap, and was blessed to escape with just a slight brush of the wall.
The Ferrari of Lewis Hamilton also had a spin, at the final moments of the session, rotating twice through the fast downhill Mergulho corner leading to the final corner on to the main straight.
The veteran finished practice in 19th, just behind team-mate Charles Leclerc.
The McLaren drivers were significantly quicker of the other competitors, with the German's car third fastest, 0.619secs behind Piastri's pace.
Aston Martin's Fernando Alonso was fourth quickest, with Sauber's Bortoleto fifth from Mercedes' Russell and the Alpine of Pierre Gasly and the Williams of Carlos Sainz.
