Norris Leads Piastri in Brazilian Practice
The British driver has beaten Oscar Piastri at all of the previous five race weekends.
Lando Norris just pipped team-mate and title rival Oscar Piastri for the top spot in the closing stages of practice at the Brazilian Grand Prix.
The British racer, who grabbed the points lead from Piastri by one point after his victory in Mexico City a fortnight back, topped the Melbourne-born driver by a mere 0.023s.
Until that point, Piastri had been the leading McLaren during the running before sprint qualifying set to begin at 18:30 GMT.
The Red Bull star, the sole remaining contender in the points battle, lying 36 points behind Norris, ended up in 17th place as his team opted for a unique setup.
Verstappen's team-mate the Japanese driver was the only driver to crash, if briefly, when he rotated at Turn Four during the early running.
The Japanese lost control over the curbs on exit before sliding over the gravel trap, and was fortunate to get away with just a slight brush of the barrier.
The Ferrari of Lewis Hamilton also lost it, at the final moments of the session, turning around through the fast downhill corner leading to the final bend on to the pit straight.
The veteran finished practice in 19th, trailing teammate Charles Leclerc.
Norris and Piastri were well clear of the other competitors, with Nico Hulkenberg's Sauber P3, 0.619secs behind the Australian's time.
Aston Martin's the Spanish driver was fourth fastest, with Sauber's Bortoleto ahead of Mercedes' Russell and the Alpine of Gasly and the Williams of Carlos Sainz.
