Norris Edges Out Piastri in Brazilian Practice

McLaren drivers in action

The British driver has outscored Oscar Piastri at all of the previous five race weekends.

Lando Norris narrowly beat team-mate and championship contender the Australian for the fastest time in the dying seconds of practice at the Brazilian Grand Prix.

The British racer, who seized the points lead from Piastri by a single point after taking the win in Mexico City a fortnight back, topped the Melbourne-born driver by a tiny margin of 0.023secs.

Until that point, Oscar Piastri had been the leading McLaren during the running before sprint qualifying due at 18:30 GMT.

The Red Bull star, the other racer in realistic title contention, lying with a 36-point deficit behind Norris, finished in 17th position as his Red Bull team opted for a unique setup.

Verstappen's team-mate the Japanese driver was the sole competitor to go off, if briefly, when he rotated at Turn Four during the early running.

The Japanese spun out over the exit kerbs before rotating through the run-off area, and was lucky to get away with just a light touch of the barrier.

The Ferrari of Lewis Hamilton also spun, at the conclusion of the practice, turning around through the fast downhill corner before the final bend on to the main straight.

The seven-time champion wrapped up in P19, one place behind team-mate Charles Leclerc.

The McLaren drivers were well clear of the rest of the field, with Nico Hulkenberg's Sauber P3, 0.619 seconds slower than Piastri's best.

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

Brandon Thompson
Brandon Thompson

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