Norris Leads Oscar Piastri in Brazilian Practice Session
The British driver has outscored his teammate at each of the past five grands prix.
The McLaren driver edged out team-mate and championship contender the Australian for the quickest lap in the dying seconds of the practice session at the Brazilian Grand Prix.
The British racer, who seized the points lead from Piastri by one point after winning in Mexico City two weeks ago, beat the Melbourne-born driver by a mere 0.023s.
Before then, Oscar Piastri had been the leading McLaren during the running before the sprint shootout set to begin at the evening session.
The Red Bull star, the sole remaining contender in the points battle, lying 36 points behind Norris, finished in 17th position as his Red Bull team ran a unique setup.
Verstappen's team-mate Yuki Tsunoda was the sole competitor to crash, though minor, when he spun at Turn Four soon after starting.
The Japanese spun out over the curbs on exit before rotating through the escape zone, and was fortunate to get away with just a light touch of the barrier.
Ferrari's Lewis Hamilton also lost it, at the final moments of the practice, spinning around through the high-speed Mergulho corner before the final bend on to the start-finish straight.
Hamilton wrapped up in 19th, trailing teammate Charles Leclerc.
The McLaren pair were well clear of the remaining drivers, with the German's car third fastest, over half a second off Piastri's pace.
The Aston Martin of the Spanish driver was in fourth, with the Sauber of Bortoleto in front of Mercedes' George Russell and Alpine's Gasly and the Williams of Carlos Sainz.
