Norris Tops Oscar Piastri in Sao Paulo Practice
The British driver has outscored his teammate at all of the previous five grands prix.
Lando Norris edged out team-mate and title rival Oscar Piastri for the top spot in the final moments of practice at the Brazilian Grand Prix.
Norris, who took the championship lead from his teammate by just one point after winning in Mexico City recently, outpaced the Australian by a mere 0.023s.
Before then, Oscar Piastri had been the fastest McLaren driver for most of the session before sprint qualifying set to begin at the evening session.
Max Verstappen, the other racer in realistic title contention, sitting 36 points behind behind Norris, ended up in 17th position as his team followed a unique setup.
Verstappen's team-mate Yuki Tsunoda was the sole competitor to go off, though minor, when he lost control at corner four during the early running.
Tsunoda spun out over the curbs on exit before sliding over the gravel trap, and was blessed to escape with just a minor contact of the fence.
Ferrari's the seven-time champion also lost it, at the final moments of the practice, rotating twice through the fast downhill corner approaching the final corner on to the main straight.
Hamilton finished practice in 19th place, trailing teammate Charles Leclerc.
The McLaren drivers were well clear of the other competitors, with Nico Hulkenberg's Sauber P3, 0.619secs off Piastri's best.
Aston Martin's Fernando Alonso was in fourth, with Sauber's Bortoleto ahead of Mercedes' Russell and the Alpine of Pierre Gasly and Williams' Carlos Sainz.
