Lando Norris Tops Piastri in Brazilian Practice Session
The British driver has outscored Oscar Piastri at each of the previous five grands prix.
The McLaren driver just pipped team-mate and championship contender the Australian for the quickest lap in the closing stages of the practice session at the Sao Paulo Grand Prix.
The British racer, who grabbed the championship lead from his teammate by just one point after taking the win in Mexico City two weeks ago, outpaced the Australian by a tiny margin of 0.023secs.
Until that point, Piastri had been the quickest of the McLaren pair throughout the hour before sprint qualifying scheduled for 18:30 GMT.
The Red Bull star, the sole remaining contender in realistic title contention, trailing 36 points Norris, finished in 17th position as his team opted for a unique setup.
His teammate the Japanese driver was the only driver to crash, if briefly, when he rotated at Turn Four soon after starting.
The Japanese spun out over the curbs on exit before sliding over the run-off area, and was lucky to escape with just a light touch of the fence.
Ferrari's Lewis Hamilton also spun, at the conclusion of the practice, spinning around through the fast downhill Mergulho turn approaching the final corner on to the main straight.
The seven-time champion wrapped up in 19th place, one place behind teammate the Monegasque driver.
The McLaren drivers were significantly quicker of the other competitors, with the German's car P3, over half a second off Piastri's best.
Aston Martin's the Spanish driver was in fourth, with Sauber's Bortoleto in front of the Mercedes of Russell and the Alpine of Pierre Gasly and Williams' Carlos Sainz.