Lando Norris Edges Out Oscar Piastri in Brazilian Practice
The British driver has outperformed his teammate at all of the past five grands prix.
Lando Norris edged out team-mate and title rival Oscar Piastri for the fastest time in the dying seconds of practice at the Brazilian Grand Prix.
Norris, who seized the points lead from his teammate by a single point after winning in Mexico City a fortnight back, outpaced the Australian by a mere 0.023s.
Before then, Piastri had been the leading McLaren during the running before sprint qualifying set to begin at 6:30 PM GMT.
The Red Bull star, the sole remaining contender in the championship fight, lying 36 points Norris, ended up in 17th place as his Red Bull team ran a unique setup.
His teammate Yuki Tsunoda was the only driver to crash, though minor, when he lost control at the fourth corner early in the session.
The Japanese lost control over the exit kerbs before sliding over the gravel trap, and was lucky to escape with just a light touch of the fence.
The Ferrari of Lewis Hamilton also spun, at the final moments of the session, turning around through the fast downhill corner leading to the final corner on to the pit straight.
The veteran ended the session in 19th place, just behind team-mate Charles Leclerc.
Norris and Piastri were well clear of the other competitors, with Nico Hulkenberg's car in third, 0.619secs off the Australian's time.
The Aston Martin of Fernando Alonso was in fourth, with Sauber's Gabriel Bortoleto fifth from Mercedes' Russell and the Alpine of Pierre Gasly and the Williams of Sainz.
