Lando Norris Leads Piastri in Brazilian Practice Session
Lando Norris has outscored his teammate at each of the previous five grands prix.
Lando Norris narrowly beat fellow driver and championship contender the Australian for the quickest lap in the final moments of the practice session at the Sao Paulo Grand Prix.
Norris, who took the championship lead from Piastri by a single point after winning in the Mexican Grand Prix recently, beat the Melbourne-born driver by a mere 0.023s.
Until that point, Piastri had been the leading McLaren during the running before the sprint shootout set to begin at the evening session.
Max Verstappen, the sole remaining contender in the points battle, trailing with a 36-point deficit Norris, finished in 17th place as his Red Bull team opted for a unique setup.
His teammate the Japanese driver was the only driver to crash, if briefly, when he lost control at the fourth corner soon after starting.
Tsunoda spun out over the track edges before spinning across the gravel trap, and was fortunate to escape with just a minor contact of the barrier.
The Ferrari of Lewis Hamilton also spun, at the conclusion of the practice, turning around through the fast downhill Mergulho turn leading to the final bend on to the pit straight.
The seven-time champion ended the session in 19th place, one place behind team-mate Charles Leclerc.
Norris and Piastri were far ahead of the other competitors, with the German's Sauber third fastest, over half a second slower than the Australian's time.
The Aston Martin of Fernando Alonso was in fourth, with the Sauber of Bortoleto ahead of the Mercedes of Russell and Alpine's Pierre Gasly and Williams' Sainz.
