Norris Edges Out Oscar Piastri in Brazilian Practice Session
The British driver has outperformed his teammate at all of the last five race weekends.
The McLaren driver narrowly beat team-mate and championship contender Oscar Piastri for the top spot in the dying seconds of the practice session at the Brazilian Grand Prix.
The British racer, who took the championship lead from Piastri by just one point after winning in the Mexican Grand Prix a fortnight back, beat the Australian by a mere 0.023s.
Before then, Oscar Piastri had been the quickest of the McLaren pair during the running before the sprint shootout scheduled for 18:30 GMT.
Max Verstappen, the only other driver in the points battle, lying 36 points behind Norris, ended up in 17th place as his team followed a different programme.
Verstappen's team-mate the Japanese driver was the sole competitor to go off, though minor, when he lost control at corner four during the early running.
The Japanese slid over the track edges before sliding over the run-off area, and was fortunate to escape with just a light touch of the barrier.
Ferrari's Lewis Hamilton also had a spin, at the conclusion of the session, spinning around through the quick descending Mergulho turn before the final bend on to the main straight.
The seven-time champion finished practice in 19th place, trailing teammate Charles Leclerc.
Norris and Piastri were well clear of the other competitors, with the German's car third fastest, over half a second off Piastri's pace.
Aston Martin's the Spanish driver was fourth quickest, with Sauber's Bortoleto in front of Mercedes' Russell and Alpine's Gasly and Williams' Sainz.
