Lando Norris Edges Out Oscar Piastri in Sao Paulo Practice

McLaren drivers in action

The British driver has outscored Oscar Piastri at each of the previous five grands prix.

The McLaren driver edged out team-mate and championship contender Oscar Piastri for the quickest lap in the dying seconds of the practice session at the Brazilian Grand Prix.

The British racer, who took the title advantage from Piastri by just one point after his victory in Mexico City two weeks ago, outpaced the Australian by 0.023 seconds.

Until that point, Piastri had been the leading McLaren throughout the hour before sprint qualifying due at the evening session.

Max Verstappen, the other racer in the championship fight, sitting 36 points behind Norris, ended up in P17 as his Red Bull team ran a alternative strategy.

Verstappen's team-mate Yuki Tsunoda was the only driver to have an incident, though minor, when he spun at corner four soon after starting.

The Japanese spun out over the track edges before sliding over the run-off area, and was fortunate to get away with just a slight brush of the wall.

Ferrari's Lewis Hamilton also lost it, at the conclusion of the session, spinning around through the high-speed Mergulho corner leading to the final corner on to the pit straight.

The seven-time champion wrapped up in 19th, just behind team-mate the Monegasque driver.

The McLaren drivers were well clear of the remaining drivers, with Nico Hulkenberg's Sauber third fastest, 0.619secs behind the Australian's time.

Aston Martin's Fernando Alonso was fourth quickest, with the Sauber of Bortoleto ahead of Mercedes' Russell and Alpine's Gasly and the Williams of Sainz.

Dennis Henry
Dennis Henry

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