Norris Leads Oscar Piastri in Brazilian Practice Session
Lando Norris has outperformed his teammate at all of the past five grands prix.
Lando Norris narrowly beat team-mate and title rival Oscar Piastri for the top spot in the closing stages of practice at the Brazilian Grand Prix.
The British racer, who seized the championship lead from Piastri by just one point after taking the win in the Mexican Grand Prix a fortnight back, outpaced the Melbourne-born driver by a mere 0.023s.
Until that point, Oscar Piastri had been the leading McLaren during the running before the sprint shootout due at the evening session.
The Red Bull star, the only other driver in realistic title contention, lying 36 points behind Norris, was classified in 17th place as his team ran a alternative strategy.
His teammate the Japanese driver was the only driver to go off, if briefly, when he lost control at corner four during the early running.
The Japanese lost control over the exit kerbs before sliding over the escape zone, and was lucky to avoid just a slight brush of the wall.
The Ferrari of the seven-time champion also had a spin, at the conclusion of the practice, spinning around through the fast downhill Mergulho corner leading to the final bend on to the start-finish straight.
Hamilton finished practice in 19th place, one place behind teammate Charles Leclerc.
The McLaren drivers were significantly quicker of the remaining drivers, with Nico Hulkenberg's Sauber third fastest, over half a second off Piastri's best.
Aston Martin's Fernando Alonso was in fourth, with the Sauber of Gabriel Bortoleto in front of the Mercedes of George Russell and Alpine's Pierre Gasly and Williams' Sainz.
