Norris Tops Piastri in Brazilian Practice
Lando Norris has beaten Oscar Piastri at all of the last five race weekends.
Lando Norris just pipped fellow driver and championship contender the Australian for the fastest time in the final moments of the practice session at the Brazilian Grand Prix.
Norris, who seized the title advantage from Piastri by just one point after winning in the Mexican Grand Prix two weeks ago, beat the Australian by a mere 0.023s.
Before then, Oscar Piastri had been the leading McLaren throughout the hour before the sprint shootout set to begin at the evening session.
The Red Bull star, the other racer in the championship fight, sitting with a 36-point deficit Norris, was classified in 17th position as his team opted for a unique setup.
Verstappen's team-mate Yuki Tsunoda was the only driver to crash, though minor, when he lost control at the fourth corner during the early running.
The Japanese spun out over the curbs on exit before sliding over the run-off area, and was fortunate to avoid just a light touch of the barrier.
The Ferrari of Lewis Hamilton also had a spin, at the conclusion of the session, rotating twice through the fast downhill Mergulho turn leading to the final bend on to the start-finish straight.
The seven-time champion finished practice in P19, trailing teammate Charles Leclerc.
The McLaren drivers were far ahead of the remaining drivers, with the German's car in third, over half a second slower than Piastri's best.
Aston Martin's the Spanish driver was fourth fastest, with Sauber's Bortoleto in front of Mercedes' George Russell and Alpine's Gasly and the Williams of Carlos Sainz.
