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Lando Norris edged out team-mate and title rival the Australian for the top spot in the dying seconds of the practice session at the Brazilian Grand Prix.

Norris, who seized the championship lead from Piastri by a single point after taking the win in Mexico City two weeks ago, beat the Melbourne-born driver by a mere 0.023s.

Before then, Piastri had been the fastest McLaren driver during the running before the sprint shootout scheduled for the evening session.

Max Verstappen, the only other driver in realistic title contention, trailing 36 points behind Norris, was classified in 17th place as his Red Bull team followed a unique setup.

Verstappen's team-mate Yuki Tsunoda was the only driver to go off, albeit lightly, when he spun at Turn Four early in the session.

The Japanese spun out over the track edges before spinning across the gravel trap, and was lucky to escape with just a slight brush of the barrier.

The Ferrari of Lewis Hamilton also lost it, at the conclusion of the practice, rotating twice through the quick descending Mergulho corner before the last turn on to the main straight.

The veteran ended the session in 19th place, just behind teammate the Monegasque driver.

Norris and Piastri were well clear of the other competitors, with the German's car in third, over half a second slower than Piastri's pace.

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