Norris Edges Out Oscar Piastri in Brazilian Practice
The British driver has outperformed Oscar Piastri at each of the past five race weekends.
Lando Norris narrowly beat fellow driver and championship contender the Australian for the top spot in the final moments of the practice session at the Brazilian Grand Prix.
The British racer, who grabbed the points lead from Piastri by a single point after winning in the Mexican Grand Prix a fortnight back, topped the Australian by a mere 0.023s.
Earlier in the session, Piastri had been the fastest McLaren driver throughout the hour before sprint qualifying set to begin at the evening session.
Max Verstappen, the other racer in realistic title contention, trailing with a 36-point deficit behind Norris, was classified in 17th place as his team followed a alternative strategy.
His teammate Yuki Tsunoda was the only driver to go off, albeit lightly, when he spun at corner four during the early running.
Tsunoda spun out over the exit kerbs before spinning across the run-off area, and was fortunate to escape with just a light touch of the barrier.
The Ferrari of the seven-time champion also spun, at the final moments of the practice, spinning around through the fast downhill corner before the final bend on to the pit straight.
Hamilton wrapped up in P19, trailing teammate Charles Leclerc.
Norris and Piastri were significantly quicker of the remaining drivers, with Nico Hulkenberg's car P3, 0.619secs behind the Australian's time.
The Aston Martin of Fernando Alonso was in fourth, with the Sauber of Gabriel Bortoleto fifth from Mercedes' Russell and Alpine's Gasly and the Williams of Sainz.
