Norris Tops Piastri in Sao Paulo Practice Session
Lando Norris has beaten Oscar Piastri at all of the past five grands prix.
The McLaren driver edged out fellow driver and title rival Oscar Piastri for the top spot in the closing stages of practice at the Sao Paulo Grand Prix.
Norris, who took the championship lead from his teammate by one point after winning in the Mexican Grand Prix recently, outpaced the Melbourne-born driver by a mere 0.023s.
Earlier in the session, Piastri had been the leading McLaren during the running before sprint qualifying set to begin at 18:30 GMT.
The Red Bull star, the other racer in the points battle, sitting with a 36-point deficit Norris, was classified in 17th position as his team followed a alternative strategy.
Verstappen's team-mate Yuki Tsunoda was the only driver to go off, though minor, when he lost control at Turn Four during the early running.
The Japanese slid over the exit kerbs before sliding over the escape zone, and was lucky to get away with just a minor contact of the fence.
Ferrari's the seven-time champion also had a spin, at the very end of the practice, spinning around through the quick descending Mergulho corner before the last turn on to the start-finish straight.
The seven-time champion finished practice in 19th, trailing team-mate Charles Leclerc.
The McLaren drivers were far ahead of the other competitors, with the German's car third fastest, over half a second behind Piastri's pace.
Aston Martin's the Spanish driver was fourth quickest, with the Sauber of Gabriel Bortoleto in front of the Mercedes of George Russell and Alpine's Pierre Gasly and the Williams of Carlos Sainz.
