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The McLaren driver just pipped team-mate and championship contender Oscar Piastri for the fastest time in the final moments of the practice session at the Brazilian Grand Prix.

The British racer, who took the championship lead from Piastri by a single point after winning in Mexico City recently, topped the Melbourne-born driver by 0.023 seconds.

Until that point, Oscar Piastri had been the quickest of the McLaren pair throughout the hour before the sprint shootout set to begin at 6:30 PM GMT.

Max Verstappen, the sole remaining contender in the points battle, lying 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 only driver to crash, if briefly, when he lost control at corner four during the early running.

The Japanese slid over the exit kerbs before spinning across the gravel trap, and was blessed to escape with just a light touch of the fence.

The Ferrari of the seven-time champion also lost it, at the conclusion of the practice, turning around through the fast downhill Mergulho corner before the final corner on to the pit straight.

Hamilton wrapped up in P19, one place behind team-mate Charles Leclerc.

The McLaren drivers were well clear of the other competitors, with Nico Hulkenberg's Sauber P3, 0.619 seconds behind Piastri's best.

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