Lando Norris Tops Oscar Piastri in Sao Paulo Practice Session
The British driver has beaten his teammate at each of the last five grands prix.
The McLaren driver just pipped team-mate and title rival the Australian for the top spot in the closing stages of practice at the Brazilian Grand Prix.
Norris, who seized the points lead from his teammate by just one point after his victory in Mexico City a fortnight back, outpaced the Melbourne-born driver by a mere 0.023s.
Before then, Piastri had been the quickest of the McLaren pair for most of the session before sprint qualifying scheduled for 18:30 GMT.
The Red Bull star, the sole remaining contender in the championship fight, trailing 36 points behind Norris, was classified in P17 as his Red Bull team ran a unique setup.
His teammate Yuki Tsunoda was the only driver to crash, though minor, when he spun at corner four soon after starting.
The Japanese lost control over the exit kerbs before sliding over the run-off area, and was blessed to get away with just a light touch of the barrier.
The Ferrari of Lewis Hamilton also lost it, at the very end of the session, turning around through the high-speed Mergulho turn leading to the final bend on to the pit straight.
Hamilton finished practice in 19th place, trailing teammate Charles Leclerc.
The McLaren drivers were well clear of the remaining drivers, with Nico Hulkenberg's car third fastest, 0.619secs off Piastri's best.
The Aston Martin of Fernando Alonso was fourth quickest, with Sauber's Gabriel Bortoleto in front of Mercedes' Russell and Alpine's Gasly and Williams' Carlos Sainz.
