Norris Leads Oscar Piastri in Sao Paulo Practice
The British driver has beaten Oscar Piastri at all of the previous five grands prix.
Lando Norris edged out fellow driver and championship contender the Australian for the top spot in the closing stages of the practice session at the Brazilian Grand Prix.
Norris, who seized the points lead from his teammate by a single point after his victory in Mexico City a fortnight back, beat the Australian by 0.023 seconds.
Before then, Oscar Piastri had been the quickest of the McLaren pair during the running before sprint qualifying scheduled for the evening session.
The Red Bull star, the sole remaining contender in the points battle, sitting 36 points behind behind Norris, was classified in 17th place as his team followed a different programme.
His teammate Yuki Tsunoda was the sole competitor to go off, though minor, when he lost control at corner four soon after starting.
The Japanese slid over the exit kerbs before rotating through the gravel trap, and was lucky to escape with just a slight brush of the barrier.
The Ferrari of Lewis Hamilton also spun, at the conclusion of the session, turning around through the quick descending corner approaching the last turn on to the pit straight.
The veteran wrapped up in 19th place, trailing team-mate Charles Leclerc.
The McLaren pair were far ahead of the other competitors, with Nico Hulkenberg's car in third, 0.619secs slower than Piastri's pace.
The Aston Martin of Fernando Alonso was fourth fastest, with Sauber's Gabriel Bortoleto in front of Mercedes' George Russell and Alpine's Pierre Gasly and Williams' Sainz.
