Verstappen’s team-mate Yuki Tsunoda was the only driver to crash, albeit lightly, when he spun at Turn Four early in the session.

The Japanese lost control over the exit kerbs before spinning across the run-off area, and was fortunate to get away with just a light touch of the barrier.

Ferrari’s Lewis Hamilton also had a spin, at the very end of the session, rotating twice coming through the fast downhill Mergulho corner leading to the final corner on to the pit straight.

The seven-time champion ended the session 19th, one place behind team-mate Charles Leclerc.

The McLaren drivers were well clear of the rest of the field, with Nico Hulkenberg’s Sauber third fastest, 0.619secs off Piastri’s pace.

Aston Martin’s Fernando Alonso was fourth fastest, with Sauber’s Gabriel Bortoleto fifth from Mercedes’ George Russell and Alpine’s Pierre Gasly and Williams’ Carlos Sainz.