Norris Tops Piastri in Sao Paulo Practice
Lando Norris has outperformed his teammate at each of the past five grands prix.
Lando Norris just pipped team-mate and championship contender Oscar Piastri for the top spot in the final moments of practice at the Brazilian Grand Prix.
The British racer, who grabbed the championship lead from his teammate by one point after winning in Mexico City recently, outpaced the Melbourne-born driver by a mere 0.023s.
Until that point, Oscar Piastri had been the quickest of the McLaren pair for most of the session before sprint qualifying set to begin at the evening session.
The Red Bull star, the sole remaining contender in realistic title contention, trailing 36 points Norris, was classified in P17 as his Red Bull team followed a unique setup.
His teammate the Japanese driver was the sole competitor to go off, though minor, when he rotated at corner four soon after starting.
The Japanese slid over the track edges before rotating through the escape zone, and was blessed to escape with just a slight brush of the barrier.
Ferrari's the seven-time champion also spun, at the very end of the practice, spinning around through the fast downhill Mergulho turn leading to the final corner on to the main straight.
Hamilton wrapped up in 19th, just behind team-mate the Monegasque driver.
Norris and Piastri were well clear of the remaining drivers, with the German's Sauber P3, 0.619secs off the Australian's time.
Aston Martin's the Spanish driver was fourth quickest, with Sauber's Bortoleto in front of the Mercedes of Russell and the Alpine of Gasly and Williams' Carlos Sainz.
