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Lando Norris just pipped team-mate and title rival the Australian for the fastest time in the dying seconds of the practice session at the Brazilian Grand Prix.

Norris, who took the points lead from Piastri by a single point after taking the win in Mexico City a fortnight back, outpaced the Australian by a mere 0.023s.

Earlier in the session, Piastri had been the fastest McLaren driver during the running before sprint qualifying scheduled for 18:30 GMT.

The Red Bull star, the other racer in realistic title contention, trailing with a 36-point deficit behind Norris, finished in P17 as his Red Bull team followed a alternative strategy.

His teammate the Japanese driver was the sole competitor to go off, albeit lightly, when he rotated at Turn Four early in the session.

Tsunoda spun out over the exit kerbs before sliding over the escape zone, and was fortunate to get away with just a minor contact of the wall.

Ferrari's the seven-time champion also lost it, at the conclusion of the session, turning around through the quick descending Mergulho turn approaching the last turn on to the start-finish straight.

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

The McLaren drivers were well clear of the rest of the field, with the German's car third fastest, over half a second off Piastri's pace.

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