🔗 Share this article Norris Tops Piastri in Sao Paulo Practice Lando Norris has outscored Oscar Piastri at each of the previous five grands prix. Lando Norris edged out fellow driver and championship contender Oscar Piastri for the fastest time in the closing stages of practice at the Brazilian Grand Prix. The British racer, who took the points lead from his teammate by one point after taking the win in Mexico City two weeks ago, outpaced the Australian by a tiny margin of 0.023secs. Until that point, Piastri had been the leading McLaren during the running before the sprint shootout set to begin at the evening session. The Red Bull star, the sole remaining contender in the points battle, trailing with a 36-point deficit behind Norris, finished in 17th position as his team followed a alternative strategy. His teammate the Japanese driver was the only driver to go off, though minor, when he spun at the fourth corner during the early running. The Japanese spun out over the curbs on exit before rotating through the run-off area, and was fortunate to escape with just a minor contact of the fence. The Ferrari of Lewis Hamilton also lost it, at the final moments of the practice, spinning around through the fast downhill Mergulho corner leading to the last turn on to the start-finish straight. The seven-time champion ended the session in 19th place, one place behind teammate the Monegasque driver. The McLaren pair were well clear of the other competitors, with Nico Hulkenberg's car P3, 0.619secs slower than Piastri's pace. Aston Martin's the Spanish driver was fourth quickest, with Sauber's Bortoleto fifth from the Mercedes of George Russell and the Alpine of Pierre Gasly and Williams' Carlos Sainz.