Lando Norris Leads Oscar Piastri in Sao Paulo Practice
The British driver has outscored Oscar Piastri at each of the past five race weekends.
The McLaren driver narrowly beat team-mate and championship contender Oscar Piastri for the fastest time in the final moments of practice at the Brazilian Grand Prix.
The British racer, who took the title advantage from his teammate by one point after winning in Mexico City two weeks ago, outpaced the Australian by a mere 0.023s.
Before then, Oscar Piastri had been the quickest of the McLaren pair during the running before sprint qualifying scheduled for the evening session.
Max Verstappen, the sole remaining contender in the championship fight, trailing 36 points behind behind Norris, was classified in 17th place as his Red Bull team ran a unique setup.
Verstappen's team-mate the Japanese driver was the sole competitor to go off, though minor, when he spun at the fourth corner soon after starting.
The Japanese spun out over the exit kerbs before spinning across the run-off area, and was lucky to get away with just a minor contact of the barrier.
The Ferrari of the seven-time champion also had a spin, at the final moments of the practice, rotating twice through the quick descending Mergulho corner approaching the last turn on to the start-finish straight.
Hamilton finished practice in 19th place, trailing teammate the Monegasque driver.
The McLaren drivers were well clear of the remaining drivers, with the German's Sauber in third, over half a second slower than Piastri's pace.
Aston Martin's Fernando Alonso was in fourth, with Sauber's Gabriel Bortoleto ahead of Mercedes' Russell and the Alpine of Pierre Gasly and Williams' Sainz.
