Lando Norris Edges Out Piastri in Sao Paulo Practice Session
Lando Norris has beaten Oscar Piastri at all of the previous five grands prix.
Lando Norris narrowly beat team-mate and championship contender Oscar Piastri for the top spot in the dying seconds of practice at the Brazilian Grand Prix.
Norris, who seized the points lead from his teammate by just one point after winning in Mexico City two weeks ago, outpaced the Australian by 0.023 seconds.
Until that point, Piastri had been the leading McLaren during the running before the sprint shootout set to begin at 6:30 PM GMT.
Max Verstappen, the only other driver in realistic title contention, lying with a 36-point deficit behind Norris, was classified in 17th position as his Red Bull team followed a alternative strategy.
Verstappen's team-mate Yuki Tsunoda was the only driver to go off, though minor, when he rotated at the fourth corner early in the session.
The Japanese lost control over the exit kerbs before spinning across the gravel trap, and was blessed to avoid just a minor contact of the wall.
Ferrari's the seven-time champion also lost it, at the final moments of the practice, spinning around through the quick descending Mergulho corner approaching the final corner on to the start-finish straight.
Hamilton ended the session in 19th place, one place behind teammate the Monegasque driver.
The McLaren drivers were well clear of the remaining drivers, with Nico Hulkenberg's Sauber third fastest, 0.619secs off the Australian's time.
Aston Martin's the Spanish driver was in fourth, with Sauber's Bortoleto in front of the Mercedes of Russell and the Alpine of Pierre Gasly and Williams' Sainz.
