Norris Edges Out Oscar Piastri in Sao Paulo Practice Session
The British driver has outscored Oscar Piastri at each of the past five race weekends.
The McLaren driver just pipped team-mate and championship contender the Australian for the fastest time in the final moments of the practice session at the Brazilian Grand Prix.
The British racer, who took the championship lead from Piastri by just one point after winning in Mexico City a fortnight back, outpaced the Melbourne-born driver by a mere 0.023s.
Earlier in the session, Piastri had been the leading McLaren throughout the hour before sprint qualifying scheduled for 6:30 PM GMT.
Max Verstappen, the only other driver in the championship fight, lying with a 36-point deficit Norris, finished in P17 as his team opted for a different programme.
Verstappen's team-mate Yuki Tsunoda was the only driver to have an incident, albeit lightly, when he rotated at Turn Four early in the session.
Tsunoda lost control over the curbs on exit before sliding over the run-off area, and was fortunate to escape with just a minor contact of the fence.
Ferrari's the seven-time champion also lost it, at the final moments of the practice, rotating twice through the high-speed Mergulho turn before the final corner on to the main straight.
Hamilton wrapped up in 19th place, trailing team-mate Charles Leclerc.
The McLaren pair were far ahead of the remaining drivers, with the German's car in third, over half a second behind Piastri's best.
The Aston Martin of the Spanish driver was fourth quickest, with Sauber's Bortoleto in front of the Mercedes of George Russell and Alpine's Pierre Gasly and Williams' Sainz.
