Japanese Grand Prix: Grass fires again interrupt practice as Lando Norris fastest in final practice

The second fire prevented some drivers from finishing their soft tyre qualifying simulation runs.

Norris, who twice ran wide at the tricky Degner Two corner, headed Piastri by just 0.026 seconds as the fight between the two McLaren drivers remained close and intense.

Mercedes driver George Russell was third, 0.112secs off the pace, and ahead of Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc, Red Bull’s Max Verstappen and Ferrari’s Lewis Hamilton.

Leclerc was one of the drivers whose final run was curtailed – he had been impeded by Carlos Sainz’s Williams in the Esses on his first flying lap and the fire brought the session to an end before he could go again.

Verstappen was continuing to complain about his car’s lack of front grip, at one stage saying it was “undriveable”.

The four-time champion was 0.288secs and four places ahead of new team-mate Yuki Tsunoda in ninth place.

Albon was seventh from Alpine’s Pierre Gasly and the Racing Bull of Isack Hadjar completed the top 10.

Aston Martin’s Fernando Alonso down in 15th was another driver not to get in a lap on the soft tyre.