Norris Edges Out Piastri in Brazilian Practice
Lando Norris has beaten his teammate at each of the past five grands prix.
The McLaren driver just pipped team-mate and championship contender the Australian for the quickest lap in the dying seconds of the practice session at the Sao Paulo Grand Prix.
Norris, who took the points lead from Piastri by a single point after winning in the Mexican Grand Prix recently, outpaced the Australian by 0.023 seconds.
Until that point, Piastri had been the leading McLaren throughout the hour before sprint qualifying scheduled for the evening session.
Max Verstappen, the only other driver in realistic title contention, lying 36 points behind Norris, was classified in 17th place as his Red Bull team opted for a alternative strategy.
Verstappen's team-mate Yuki Tsunoda was the sole competitor to go off, though minor, when he lost control at corner four early in the session.
The Japanese lost control over the curbs on exit before sliding over the escape zone, and was blessed to avoid just a minor contact of the wall.
The Ferrari of the seven-time champion also lost it, at the very end of the session, turning around through the fast downhill corner approaching the last turn on to the pit straight.
Hamilton wrapped up in 19th, just behind team-mate Charles Leclerc.
Norris and Piastri were significantly quicker of the remaining drivers, with Nico Hulkenberg's car third fastest, over half a second slower than Piastri's pace.
The Aston Martin of the Spanish driver was fourth fastest, with the Sauber of Gabriel Bortoleto in front of Mercedes' George Russell and Alpine's Gasly and the Williams of Carlos Sainz.
