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Lando Norris edged out fellow driver and championship contender the Australian for the quickest lap in the closing stages of the practice session at the Brazilian Grand Prix.

The British racer, who took the championship lead from Piastri by one point after taking the win in Mexico City a fortnight back, topped the Australian by 0.023 seconds.

Earlier in the session, Piastri had been the fastest McLaren driver for most of the session before sprint qualifying set to begin at 6:30 PM GMT.

The Red Bull star, the other racer in realistic title contention, sitting 36 points Norris, was classified in 17th position as his Red Bull team followed a unique setup.

His teammate Yuki Tsunoda was the sole competitor to go off, though minor, when he lost control at Turn Four during the early running.

Tsunoda spun out over the exit kerbs before sliding over the gravel trap, and was lucky to get away with just a light touch of the wall.

The Ferrari of Lewis Hamilton also lost it, at the final moments of the session, turning around through the high-speed Mergulho turn before the last turn on to the start-finish straight.

The seven-time champion wrapped up in 19th place, just behind teammate Charles Leclerc.

Norris and Piastri were far ahead of the remaining drivers, with the German's car third fastest, 0.619secs slower than the Australian's time.

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