Norris Tops Oscar Piastri in Sao Paulo Practice
Lando Norris has outperformed his teammate at all of the last five race weekends.
The McLaren driver narrowly beat team-mate and title rival Oscar Piastri for the quickest lap in the dying seconds of the practice session at the Brazilian Grand Prix.
Norris, who seized the points lead from Piastri by a single point after his victory in the Mexican Grand Prix two weeks ago, beat the Melbourne-born driver by a mere 0.023s.
Until that point, Piastri had been the leading McLaren for most of the session before sprint qualifying due at 6:30 PM GMT.
The Red Bull star, the only other driver in the championship fight, sitting 36 points Norris, was classified in 17th place as his Red Bull team followed a unique setup.
Verstappen's team-mate Yuki Tsunoda was the sole competitor to go off, if briefly, when he spun at the fourth corner soon after starting.
The Japanese lost control over the exit kerbs before sliding over the gravel trap, and was fortunate to avoid just a light touch of the fence.
The Ferrari of the seven-time champion also lost it, at the final moments of the practice, turning around through the fast downhill Mergulho turn leading to the last turn on to the main straight.
Hamilton finished practice in 19th, trailing teammate Charles Leclerc.
The McLaren pair were far ahead of the other competitors, with Nico Hulkenberg's Sauber third fastest, over half a second slower than the Australian's time.
Aston Martin's the Spanish driver was fourth fastest, with Sauber's Gabriel Bortoleto in front of the Mercedes of Russell and the Alpine of Gasly and the Williams of Carlos Sainz.
