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The McLaren driver narrowly beat fellow driver and championship contender the Australian for the fastest time in the dying seconds of practice at the Brazilian Grand Prix.

The British racer, who took the points lead from his teammate by a single point after winning in the Mexican Grand Prix two weeks ago, topped the Melbourne-born driver by 0.023 seconds.

Before then, Piastri had been the fastest McLaren driver throughout the hour before sprint qualifying due at 18:30 GMT.

The Red Bull star, the only other driver in the points battle, lying with a 36-point deficit behind Norris, ended up in P17 as his Red Bull team followed a alternative strategy.

His teammate the Japanese driver was the sole competitor to crash, though minor, when he rotated at Turn Four during the early running.

Tsunoda lost control over the curbs on exit before sliding over the run-off area, and was fortunate to avoid just a light touch of the fence.

The Ferrari of the seven-time champion also spun, at the very end of the practice, rotating twice through the high-speed corner before the final corner on to the main straight.

The veteran wrapped up in 19th, one place behind teammate Charles Leclerc.

Norris and Piastri were well clear of the rest of the field, with Nico Hulkenberg's Sauber third fastest, 0.619secs off the Australian's time.

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