Lando Norris Leads Piastri in Brazilian Practice
The British driver has outscored Oscar Piastri at each of the past five grands prix.
The McLaren driver just pipped team-mate and title rival the Australian for the top spot in the closing stages of the practice session at the Sao Paulo Grand Prix.
Norris, who grabbed the title advantage from his teammate by a single point after his victory in the Mexican Grand Prix two weeks ago, beat the Melbourne-born driver by a mere 0.023s.
Earlier in the session, Oscar Piastri had been the leading McLaren for most of the session before sprint qualifying scheduled for the evening session.
Max Verstappen, the only other driver in the championship fight, trailing with a 36-point deficit Norris, finished in 17th place as his Red Bull team followed a unique setup.
Verstappen's team-mate the Japanese driver was the sole competitor to have an incident, though minor, when he lost control at the fourth corner during the early running.
The Japanese lost control over the track edges before sliding over the run-off area, and was fortunate to escape with just a minor contact of the barrier.
Ferrari's the seven-time champion also spun, at the final moments of the practice, rotating twice through the fast downhill Mergulho corner approaching the final corner on to the main straight.
The veteran finished practice in 19th, trailing teammate the Monegasque driver.
Norris and Piastri were well clear of the other competitors, with Nico Hulkenberg's car third fastest, 0.619 seconds behind the Australian's time.
Aston Martin's Fernando Alonso was fourth fastest, with the Sauber of Gabriel Bortoleto ahead of Mercedes' Russell and the Alpine of Gasly and the Williams of Sainz.
