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The McLaren driver narrowly beat team-mate and championship contender Oscar Piastri for the top spot in the closing stages of practice at the Brazilian Grand Prix.

Norris, who seized the title advantage from his teammate by just one point after taking the win in Mexico City two weeks ago, beat the Melbourne-born driver by 0.023 seconds.

Until that point, Piastri had been the fastest McLaren driver for most of the session before sprint qualifying scheduled for 18:30 GMT.

The Red Bull star, the only other driver in the points battle, sitting 36 points behind Norris, was classified in 17th place as his Red Bull team opted for a alternative strategy.

Verstappen's team-mate Yuki Tsunoda was the sole competitor to have an incident, albeit lightly, when he lost control at corner four during the early running.

The Japanese slid over the exit kerbs before rotating through the gravel trap, and was fortunate to get away with just a minor contact of the fence.

The Ferrari of Lewis Hamilton also spun, at the conclusion of the practice, turning around through the quick descending corner before the final corner on to the start-finish straight.

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

Norris and Piastri were significantly quicker of the rest of the field, with Nico Hulkenberg's car third fastest, 0.619 seconds off the Australian's time.

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