Three-time world champion Verstappen faced a far from straightforward practice session after a failed sensor issue with his RB20 brought out the red flag.
Lewis Hamilton looked like a strong competitor, being the only driver to finish in the top five who ran the hard tyres - and not having ran the soft tyres having been quickest for much of the session.
Red Bull managed to get Verstappen back out on track to finish practice, taking the top spot from Piastri, both Ferrari's and Hamilton.