Lando Norris Edges Out Oscar Piastri in Brazilian Practice
The British driver has outperformed his teammate at all of the previous five grands prix.
Lando Norris just pipped team-mate and championship contender Oscar Piastri for the fastest time in the final moments of practice at the Brazilian Grand Prix.
Norris, who took the points lead from his teammate by just one point after his victory in the Mexican Grand Prix two weeks ago, topped the Australian by a tiny margin of 0.023secs.
Earlier in the session, Oscar Piastri had been the fastest McLaren driver for most of the session before sprint qualifying scheduled for 6:30 PM GMT.
Max Verstappen, the only other driver in realistic title contention, lying with a 36-point deficit Norris, finished in P17 as his Red Bull team followed a alternative strategy.
His teammate Yuki Tsunoda was the sole competitor to crash, though minor, when he lost control at corner four early in the session.
Tsunoda lost control over the exit kerbs before spinning across the escape zone, and was fortunate to escape with just a light touch of the fence.
The Ferrari of the seven-time champion also lost it, at the conclusion of the session, rotating twice through the fast downhill Mergulho corner before the final bend on to the main straight.
Hamilton wrapped up in 19th place, just behind teammate Charles Leclerc.
Norris and Piastri were significantly quicker of the remaining drivers, with Nico Hulkenberg's car in third, 0.619secs off Piastri's best.
Aston Martin's the Spanish driver was fourth fastest, with the Sauber of Bortoleto fifth from the Mercedes of George Russell and the Alpine of Pierre Gasly and Williams' Sainz.
