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The McLaren driver just pipped team-mate and title rival the Australian for the top spot in the closing stages of the practice session at the Sao Paulo Grand Prix.

Norris, who grabbed the title advantage from his teammate by one point after taking the win in Mexico City two weeks ago, beat the Australian by a tiny margin of 0.023secs.

Before then, Piastri had been the leading McLaren during the running before sprint qualifying scheduled for the evening session.

Max Verstappen, the sole remaining contender in realistic title contention, trailing 36 points behind Norris, finished in 17th place as his team ran a alternative strategy.

His teammate the Japanese driver was the sole competitor to crash, though minor, when he spun at the fourth corner soon after starting.

Tsunoda lost control over the track edges before spinning across the gravel trap, and was fortunate to get away with just a light touch of the fence.

The Ferrari of Lewis Hamilton also lost it, at the very end of the practice, turning around through the quick descending Mergulho corner approaching the final bend on to the start-finish straight.

The veteran ended the session in 19th, just behind teammate Charles Leclerc.

The McLaren drivers were well clear of the remaining drivers, with Nico Hulkenberg's Sauber third fastest, 0.619 seconds slower than Piastri's pace.

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