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The McLaren driver just pipped fellow driver and championship contender the Australian for the top spot in the final moments of the practice session at the Sao Paulo Grand Prix.

Norris, who took the points lead from Piastri by a single point after winning in the Mexican Grand Prix a fortnight back, beat the Australian by a tiny margin of 0.023secs.

Earlier in the session, Piastri had been the quickest of the McLaren pair during the running before the sprint shootout scheduled for the evening session.

Max Verstappen, the only other driver in realistic title contention, sitting with a 36-point deficit behind Norris, was classified in 17th place as his team followed a alternative strategy.

His teammate Yuki Tsunoda was the sole competitor to go off, albeit lightly, when he rotated at the fourth corner soon after starting.

The Japanese lost control over the curbs on exit before sliding over the gravel trap, and was fortunate to get away with just a minor contact of the barrier.

The Ferrari of Lewis Hamilton also had a spin, at the conclusion of the session, rotating twice through the fast downhill Mergulho corner approaching the final corner on to the pit straight.

Hamilton finished practice in P19, just behind teammate Charles Leclerc.

The McLaren pair were well clear of the other competitors, with Nico Hulkenberg's car in third, 0.619secs behind Piastri's pace.

Aston Martin's Fernando Alonso was in fourth, with the Sauber of Gabriel Bortoleto ahead of Mercedes' George Russell and the Alpine of Gasly and the Williams of Carlos Sainz.