Norris Leads Piastri in Brazilian Practice
Lando Norris has outscored Oscar Piastri at each of the previous five grands prix.
The McLaren driver just pipped team-mate and championship contender Oscar Piastri for the fastest time in the dying seconds of the practice session at the Sao Paulo Grand Prix.
The British racer, who took the points lead from his teammate by one point after taking the win in Mexico City two weeks ago, topped the Australian by a mere 0.023s.
Earlier in the session, Piastri had been the quickest of the McLaren pair during the running before sprint qualifying scheduled for 18:30 GMT.
Max Verstappen, the sole remaining contender in the points battle, lying 36 points behind Norris, was classified in P17 as his team ran a different programme.
His teammate the Japanese driver was the sole competitor to go off, if briefly, when he rotated at the fourth corner soon after starting.
Tsunoda lost control over the exit kerbs before sliding over the run-off area, and was lucky to escape with just a light touch of the barrier.
The Ferrari of the seven-time champion also lost it, at the very end of the session, spinning around through the fast downhill Mergulho corner leading to the last turn on to the pit straight.
The seven-time champion finished practice in 19th place, trailing teammate Charles Leclerc.
The McLaren pair were far ahead of the remaining drivers, with Nico Hulkenberg's car P3, over half a second slower than Piastri's best.
The Aston Martin of Fernando Alonso was in fourth, with Sauber's Bortoleto ahead of the Mercedes of Russell and the Alpine of Gasly and Williams' Carlos Sainz.
