Norris Edges Out Oscar Piastri in Sao Paulo Practice Session
The British driver has outscored Oscar Piastri at all of the last five grands prix.
The McLaren driver narrowly beat team-mate and title rival Oscar Piastri for the top spot in the dying seconds of practice at the Sao Paulo Grand Prix.
Norris, who seized the points lead from Piastri by one point after his victory in Mexico City a fortnight back, beat the Melbourne-born driver by 0.023 seconds.
Earlier in the session, Piastri had been the leading McLaren during the running before sprint qualifying set to begin at 18:30 GMT.
The Red Bull star, the only other driver in the championship fight, lying with a 36-point deficit behind Norris, was classified in 17th position as his team ran a unique setup.
Verstappen's team-mate the Japanese driver was the only driver to go off, though minor, when he rotated at the fourth corner early in the session.
The Japanese slid over the track edges before sliding over the escape zone, and was lucky to avoid just a light touch of the barrier.
The Ferrari of Lewis Hamilton also had a spin, at the final moments of the session, rotating twice through the quick descending Mergulho turn leading to the final corner on to the start-finish straight.
The veteran wrapped up in 19th, just behind teammate the Monegasque driver.
Norris and Piastri were far ahead of the remaining drivers, with the German's car P3, over half a second slower than Piastri's best.
The Aston Martin of the Spanish driver was in fourth, with the Sauber of Gabriel Bortoleto in front of the Mercedes of Russell and the Alpine of Pierre Gasly and the Williams of Carlos Sainz.
