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

The British racer, who took the title advantage from Piastri by one point after taking the win in Mexico City recently, topped the Australian by 0.023 seconds.

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

Max Verstappen, the sole remaining contender in the points battle, lying 36 points behind Norris, was classified in 17th position as his Red Bull team opted for a different programme.

Verstappen's team-mate Yuki Tsunoda was the only driver to crash, though minor, 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 lucky to avoid just a light touch of the barrier.

The Ferrari of the seven-time champion also had a spin, at the conclusion of the session, turning around through the high-speed Mergulho corner approaching the last turn on to the pit straight.

The veteran ended the session in 19th, just behind team-mate the Monegasque driver.

The McLaren drivers were far ahead of the remaining drivers, with Nico Hulkenberg's Sauber third fastest, 0.619 seconds behind the Australian's time.

The Aston Martin of the Spanish driver was fourth fastest, with the Sauber of Bortoleto fifth from the Mercedes of George Russell and the Alpine of Gasly and Williams' Carlos Sainz.