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Lando Norris narrowly beat team-mate and championship contender the Australian for the top spot in the dying seconds of practice at the Sao Paulo Grand Prix.

The British racer, who seized the title advantage from his teammate by just one point after winning in Mexico City two weeks ago, topped the Melbourne-born driver by 0.023 seconds.

Until that point, Piastri had been the quickest of the McLaren pair throughout the hour before sprint qualifying due at the evening session.

Max Verstappen, the sole remaining contender in the points battle, sitting with a 36-point deficit Norris, was classified in 17th position as his Red Bull team followed a different programme.

Verstappen's team-mate the Japanese driver was the only driver to go off, albeit lightly, when he lost control at Turn Four soon after starting.

The Japanese spun out over the exit kerbs before spinning across the gravel trap, and was lucky to avoid just a light touch of the barrier.

The Ferrari of Lewis Hamilton also spun, at the final moments of the session, spinning around through the quick descending corner leading to the final bend on to the pit straight.

Hamilton finished practice in 19th place, one place behind team-mate the Monegasque driver.

Norris and Piastri were well clear of the remaining drivers, with Nico Hulkenberg's car P3, 0.619secs behind Piastri's pace.

Aston Martin's the Spanish driver was fourth quickest, with Sauber's Bortoleto in front of the Mercedes of Russell and the Alpine of Gasly and Williams' Sainz.