Lando Norris Tops Piastri in Brazilian Practice Session
The British driver has outscored Oscar Piastri at each of the previous five grands prix.
The McLaren driver edged out fellow driver and title rival Oscar Piastri for the fastest time in the final moments of the practice session at the Brazilian Grand Prix.
Norris, who took the points lead from Piastri by just one point after his victory in Mexico City a fortnight back, outpaced the Melbourne-born driver by 0.023 seconds.
Until that point, Oscar Piastri had been the leading McLaren during the running before sprint qualifying set to begin at the evening session.
The Red Bull star, the other racer in the championship fight, trailing with a 36-point deficit behind Norris, ended up in P17 as his team followed a different programme.
Verstappen's team-mate the Japanese driver was the sole competitor to crash, though minor, when he lost control at corner four early in the session.
The Japanese lost control over the exit kerbs before spinning across the run-off area, and was fortunate to avoid just a light touch of the barrier.
Ferrari's the seven-time champion also had a spin, at the conclusion of the session, rotating twice through the high-speed corner approaching the final bend on to the start-finish straight.
Hamilton wrapped up in 19th place, one place behind teammate Charles Leclerc.
The McLaren drivers were well clear of the remaining drivers, with the German's car in third, 0.619 seconds slower than the Australian's time.
Aston Martin's the Spanish driver was fourth quickest, with Sauber's Gabriel Bortoleto ahead of Mercedes' Russell and Alpine's Pierre Gasly and the Williams of Sainz.
