Lando Norris Leads Piastri in Brazilian Practice Session
The British driver has beaten Oscar Piastri at all of the previous five grands prix.
The McLaren driver edged out team-mate and championship contender Oscar Piastri for the fastest time in the closing stages of practice at the Brazilian Grand Prix.
Norris, who grabbed the points lead from his teammate by a single point after taking the win in Mexico City two weeks ago, topped the Australian by a mere 0.023s.
Earlier in the session, Oscar Piastri had been the quickest of the McLaren pair for most of the session before the sprint shootout due at the evening session.
The Red Bull star, the only other driver in the points battle, sitting 36 points behind behind Norris, finished in P17 as his team ran a unique setup.
Verstappen's team-mate the Japanese driver was the sole competitor to crash, if briefly, when he spun at the fourth corner during the early running.
The Japanese spun out over the curbs on exit before spinning across the gravel trap, and was blessed to escape with just a minor contact of the wall.
The Ferrari of the seven-time champion also spun, at the conclusion of the session, turning around through the high-speed corner before the last turn on to the main straight.
The seven-time champion wrapped up in 19th, just behind team-mate Charles Leclerc.
Norris and Piastri were well clear of the remaining drivers, with Nico Hulkenberg's car P3, 0.619secs behind the Australian's time.
Aston Martin's the Spanish driver was fourth quickest, with the Sauber of Gabriel Bortoleto in front of the Mercedes of Russell and Alpine's Gasly and the Williams of Carlos Sainz.