Lando Norris Tops Oscar Piastri in Sao Paulo Practice

McLaren drivers in action

The British driver has outscored his teammate at each of the previous five grands prix.

The McLaren driver just pipped team-mate and title rival Oscar Piastri for the top spot in the dying seconds of the practice session at the Sao Paulo Grand Prix.

The British racer, who took the title advantage from his teammate by one point after winning in the Mexican Grand Prix recently, outpaced the Australian by a mere 0.023s.

Earlier in the session, Oscar Piastri had been the fastest McLaren driver for most of the session before the sprint shootout set to begin at 6:30 PM GMT.

Max Verstappen, the other racer in the points battle, trailing 36 points behind Norris, was classified in 17th position as his team ran a unique setup.

His teammate the Japanese driver was the only driver to crash, though minor, when he lost control at the fourth corner during the early running.

The Japanese spun out over the track edges before sliding over the gravel trap, and was fortunate to avoid just a slight brush of the barrier.

The Ferrari of the seven-time champion also had a spin, at the conclusion of the practice, rotating twice through the fast downhill corner leading to the final corner on to the start-finish straight.

The seven-time champion finished practice in 19th, just behind teammate the Monegasque driver.

Norris and Piastri were well clear of the remaining drivers, with Nico Hulkenberg's car third fastest, 0.619secs slower than Piastri's best.

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

Robert Williams
Robert Williams

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