Lando Norris Leads Oscar Piastri in Sao Paulo Practice

McLaren drivers in action

The British driver has outperformed Oscar Piastri at each of the last five race weekends.

Lando Norris edged out fellow driver and title rival the Australian for the fastest time in the closing stages of the practice session at the Brazilian Grand Prix.

Norris, who seized the championship lead from his teammate by one point after winning in the Mexican Grand Prix two weeks ago, outpaced the Melbourne-born driver by 0.023 seconds.

Until that point, Piastri had been the quickest of the McLaren pair for most of the session before sprint qualifying due at 18:30 GMT.

The Red Bull star, the other racer in realistic title contention, sitting with a 36-point deficit Norris, finished in P17 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 the fourth corner during the early running.

The Japanese lost control over the track edges before spinning across the gravel trap, and was lucky to escape with just a slight brush of the wall.

The Ferrari of Lewis Hamilton also spun, at the very end of the practice, spinning around through the fast downhill Mergulho turn before the final corner on to the pit straight.

Hamilton wrapped up in 19th place, just behind teammate the Monegasque driver.

The McLaren drivers were significantly quicker of the remaining drivers, with the German's car third fastest, 0.619 seconds off Piastri's best.

Aston Martin's the Spanish driver was fourth fastest, with the Sauber of Bortoleto in front of Mercedes' Russell and the Alpine of Gasly and the Williams of Carlos Sainz.

Nicholas Torres
Nicholas Torres

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