🔗 Share this article Norris Tops Oscar Piastri in Brazilian Practice Session Lando Norris has outscored Oscar Piastri at each of the past five race weekends. The McLaren driver just pipped team-mate and championship contender the Australian for the top spot in the closing stages of the practice session at the Sao Paulo Grand Prix. Norris, who took the championship lead from Piastri by a single point after his victory in Mexico City two weeks ago, beat the Australian by 0.023 seconds. Until that point, Piastri had been the fastest McLaren driver throughout the hour before sprint qualifying scheduled for 18:30 GMT. The Red Bull star, the only other driver in the championship fight, trailing 36 points Norris, ended up in P17 as his Red Bull team opted for a alternative strategy. His teammate Yuki Tsunoda was the only driver to go off, albeit lightly, when he spun at Turn Four early in the session. Tsunoda lost control over the track edges before spinning across the gravel trap, and was blessed to get away with just a light touch of the fence. Ferrari's Lewis Hamilton also lost it, at the conclusion of the session, rotating twice through the fast downhill Mergulho corner before the final bend on to the main straight. The seven-time champion finished practice in 19th, one place behind teammate Charles Leclerc. The McLaren pair were well clear of the remaining drivers, with Nico Hulkenberg's car third fastest, 0.619secs off Piastri's best. The Aston Martin of the Spanish driver was fourth fastest, with Sauber's Gabriel Bortoleto ahead of Mercedes' Russell and Alpine's Gasly and the Williams of Carlos Sainz.