Lando Norris has outperformed Oscar Piastri at all of the previous five grands prix.
The McLaren driver edged out team-mate and title rival Oscar Piastri for the top spot in the closing stages of practice at the Sao Paulo Grand Prix.
Norris, who seized the points lead from Piastri by just one point after winning in Mexico City a fortnight back, outpaced the Australian by 0.023 seconds.
Before then, Oscar Piastri had been the leading McLaren throughout the hour before sprint qualifying scheduled for the evening session.
The Red Bull star, the sole remaining contender in the championship fight, trailing 36 points Norris, finished in 17th place as his Red Bull team opted for a different programme.
His teammate Yuki Tsunoda was the only driver to have an incident, albeit lightly, when he rotated at Turn Four during the early running.
Tsunoda lost control over the track edges before sliding over the escape zone, and was lucky to escape with just a slight brush of the barrier.
Ferrari's the seven-time champion also lost it, at the conclusion of the practice, rotating twice through the high-speed Mergulho turn before the last turn on to the main straight.
The veteran wrapped up in 19th place, one place behind teammate the Monegasque driver.
The McLaren pair were far ahead of the other competitors, with Nico Hulkenberg's Sauber P3, 0.619 seconds behind Piastri's best.
Aston Martin's the Spanish driver was fourth quickest, with the Sauber of Bortoleto ahead of Mercedes' Russell and the Alpine of Gasly and Williams' Carlos Sainz.
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