Norris Tops Oscar Piastri in Brazilian Practice Session
Lando Norris has outscored his teammate at each of the previous five race weekends.
Lando Norris edged out team-mate and title rival Oscar Piastri for the top spot in the final moments of practice at the Brazilian Grand Prix.
The British racer, who seized the championship lead from Piastri by just one point after taking the win in the Mexican Grand Prix a fortnight back, topped the Australian by a mere 0.023s.
Earlier in the session, Oscar Piastri had been the leading McLaren during the running before sprint qualifying due at the evening session.
Max Verstappen, the sole remaining contender in realistic title contention, lying 36 points behind Norris, finished in 17th position as his Red Bull team followed a unique setup.
Verstappen's team-mate the Japanese driver was the sole competitor to crash, if briefly, when he spun at corner four during the early running.
The Japanese spun out over the curbs on exit before rotating through the gravel trap, and was lucky to avoid just a minor contact of the barrier.
Ferrari's the seven-time champion also lost it, at the final moments of the practice, turning around through the quick descending Mergulho corner leading to the last turn on to the start-finish straight.
The seven-time champion wrapped up in 19th, just behind teammate the Monegasque driver.
Norris and Piastri were far ahead of the other competitors, with the German's car third fastest, 0.619secs off the Australian's time.
The Aston Martin of Fernando Alonso was fourth fastest, with the Sauber of Gabriel Bortoleto in front of the Mercedes of Russell and the Alpine of Pierre Gasly and the Williams of Sainz.
