Norris Tops Oscar Piastri in Sao Paulo Practice Session
Lando Norris has outscored Oscar Piastri at all of the last five grands prix.
The McLaren driver edged out team-mate and title rival the Australian for the quickest lap in the closing stages of the practice session at the Brazilian Grand Prix.
The British racer, who seized the championship lead from Piastri by a single point after winning in Mexico City a fortnight back, outpaced the Melbourne-born driver by a mere 0.023s.
Until that point, Piastri had been the quickest of the McLaren pair for most of the session before sprint qualifying scheduled for 6:30 PM GMT.
Max Verstappen, the other racer in the points battle, trailing 36 points behind behind Norris, ended up in 17th place as his Red Bull team opted for a unique setup.
Verstappen's team-mate the Japanese driver was the only driver to go off, albeit lightly, when he spun at corner four during the early running.
The Japanese lost control over the track edges before spinning across the gravel trap, and was blessed to get away with just a minor contact of the barrier.
Ferrari's the seven-time champion also had a spin, at the conclusion of the practice, turning around through the high-speed Mergulho turn leading to the final corner on to the main straight.
Hamilton ended the session in 19th, one place behind team-mate Charles Leclerc.
Norris and Piastri were far ahead of the other competitors, with Nico Hulkenberg's car P3, 0.619 seconds behind Piastri's pace.
Aston Martin's Fernando Alonso was fourth quickest, with the Sauber of Bortoleto ahead of Mercedes' Russell and Alpine's Pierre Gasly and the Williams of Carlos Sainz.
