Norris Tops Oscar Piastri in Sao Paulo Practice
Lando Norris has beaten his teammate at each of the last five grands prix.
The McLaren driver narrowly beat fellow driver and title rival the Australian for the top spot in the final moments of practice at the Brazilian Grand Prix.
Norris, who seized the championship lead from his teammate by a single point after his victory in Mexico City a fortnight back, topped the Melbourne-born driver by 0.023 seconds.
Until that point, Oscar Piastri had been the leading McLaren during the running before sprint qualifying scheduled for the evening session.
The Red Bull star, the only other driver in realistic title contention, lying 36 points behind Norris, was classified in 17th position as his Red Bull team followed a unique setup.
Verstappen's team-mate the Japanese driver was the only driver to go off, though minor, when he rotated at Turn Four soon after starting.
The Japanese lost control over the exit kerbs before spinning across the escape zone, and was blessed to escape with just a slight brush of the barrier.
The Ferrari of the seven-time champion also spun, at the very end of the session, turning around through the fast downhill corner leading to the last turn on to the main straight.
The seven-time champion wrapped up in 19th, trailing teammate Charles Leclerc.
The McLaren drivers were significantly quicker of the remaining drivers, with the German's Sauber in third, 0.619 seconds behind Piastri's best.
The Aston Martin of Fernando Alonso was in fourth, with Sauber's Gabriel Bortoleto fifth from Mercedes' George Russell and the Alpine of Gasly and the Williams of Sainz.
