Norris Tops Oscar Piastri in Sao Paulo Practice Session
Lando Norris has beaten Oscar Piastri at all of the previous five grands prix.
The McLaren driver edged out team-mate and title rival the Australian for the top spot 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 taking the win in the Mexican Grand Prix a fortnight back, beat the Australian by 0.023 seconds.
Earlier in the session, Piastri had been the fastest McLaren driver for most of the session before sprint qualifying scheduled for the evening session.
Max Verstappen, the other racer in realistic title contention, sitting with a 36-point deficit Norris, finished in 17th position as his team followed a different programme.
His teammate Yuki Tsunoda was the only driver to have an incident, albeit lightly, when he lost control at Turn Four soon after starting.
The Japanese slid over the curbs on exit before rotating through the gravel trap, and was blessed to avoid just a slight brush of the barrier.
The Ferrari of the seven-time champion also lost it, at the conclusion of the practice, turning around through the high-speed Mergulho corner before the last turn on to the pit straight.
The veteran wrapped up in 19th place, one place behind teammate Charles Leclerc.
Norris and Piastri were far ahead of the remaining drivers, with the German's Sauber in third, 0.619secs behind Piastri's pace.
Aston Martin's the Spanish driver was fourth quickest, with the Sauber of Bortoleto in front of Mercedes' Russell and the Alpine of Pierre Gasly and Williams' Sainz.
