🔗 Share this article Norris Leads Piastri in Brazilian Practice The British driver has outperformed his teammate at each of the past five race weekends. The McLaren driver edged out fellow driver and title rival Oscar Piastri for the fastest time in the dying seconds of the practice session at the Sao Paulo Grand Prix. Norris, who took the points lead from his teammate by just one point after winning in Mexico City recently, beat the Australian by a mere 0.023s. Before then, Piastri had been the fastest McLaren driver throughout the hour before sprint qualifying set to begin at 6:30 PM GMT. Max Verstappen, the sole remaining contender in realistic title contention, trailing 36 points behind behind Norris, was classified in 17th position as his team opted for a unique setup. Verstappen's team-mate Yuki Tsunoda was the only driver to crash, albeit lightly, when he rotated at the fourth corner during the early running. Tsunoda lost control over the exit kerbs before rotating through the gravel trap, and was lucky to get away with just a minor contact of the wall. The Ferrari of the seven-time champion also spun, at the conclusion of the practice, rotating twice through the quick descending Mergulho turn approaching the last turn on to the pit straight. The seven-time champion ended the session in 19th place, trailing team-mate the Monegasque driver. Norris and Piastri were significantly quicker of the remaining drivers, with Nico Hulkenberg's Sauber third fastest, over half a second slower than the Australian's time. Aston Martin's the Spanish driver was fourth quickest, with Sauber's Gabriel Bortoleto ahead of the Mercedes of George Russell and the Alpine of Pierre Gasly and the Williams of Sainz.