Norris Leads Piastri in Sao Paulo Practice Session
Lando Norris has beaten his teammate at all of the last five race weekends.
The McLaren driver just pipped team-mate and championship contender Oscar Piastri for the quickest lap in the final moments of the practice session at the Brazilian Grand Prix.
Norris, who took the championship lead from his teammate by just one point after winning in the Mexican Grand Prix two weeks ago, beat the Australian by 0.023 seconds.
Until that point, Oscar Piastri had been the leading McLaren for most of the session before sprint qualifying due at the evening session.
The Red Bull star, the sole remaining contender in the points battle, lying 36 points behind Norris, ended up in 17th position as his team ran a unique setup.
Verstappen's team-mate the Japanese driver was the only driver to go off, albeit lightly, when he spun at Turn Four early in the session.
Tsunoda lost control over the curbs on exit before spinning across the escape zone, and was blessed to avoid just a light touch of the fence.
The Ferrari of Lewis Hamilton also spun, at the conclusion of the practice, spinning around through the fast downhill Mergulho corner leading to the final bend on to the pit straight.
The seven-time champion ended the session in 19th place, trailing team-mate Charles Leclerc.
Norris and Piastri were far ahead of the remaining drivers, with Nico Hulkenberg's car third fastest, over half a second slower than Piastri's best.
The Aston Martin of Fernando Alonso was in fourth, with the Sauber of Gabriel Bortoleto ahead of Mercedes' George Russell and the Alpine of Pierre Gasly and the Williams of Sainz.
