Norris Tops Oscar Piastri in Brazilian Practice
Lando Norris has outscored Oscar Piastri at each of the last five race weekends.
Lando Norris just pipped fellow driver and title rival Oscar Piastri for the fastest time in the dying seconds of practice at the Brazilian Grand Prix.
Norris, who grabbed the title advantage from Piastri by one point after winning in the Mexican Grand Prix two weeks ago, outpaced the Melbourne-born driver by a mere 0.023s.
Earlier in the session, Oscar Piastri had been the quickest of the McLaren pair throughout the hour before sprint qualifying due at 18:30 GMT.
The Red Bull star, the other racer in the points battle, trailing with a 36-point deficit behind Norris, was classified in 17th position as his team opted for a different programme.
Verstappen's team-mate the Japanese driver was the sole competitor to crash, albeit lightly, when he rotated at Turn Four early in the session.
The Japanese lost control over the curbs on exit before sliding over the gravel trap, and was fortunate to get away with just a light touch of the wall.
The Ferrari of the seven-time champion also lost it, at the final moments of the practice, turning around through the quick descending Mergulho turn leading to the final corner on to the start-finish straight.
Hamilton wrapped up in P19, one place behind team-mate Charles Leclerc.
Norris and Piastri were well clear of the rest of the field, with Nico Hulkenberg's car P3, over half a second off the Australian's time.
Aston Martin's Fernando Alonso was in fourth, with Sauber's Bortoleto in front of the Mercedes of George Russell and the Alpine of Pierre Gasly and the Williams of Sainz.