Although Fernando Alonso put in his best qualifying showing in months, the Ferrari driver was left to rue losing second place in Brazil.
The double World Champion brought his F138 home in third place at a wet Interlagos circuit on Saturday afternoon.
After a 40 minute delay due to the treacherous conditions, Alonso clocked a 1:27.539 to take third place on the grid.
However, the Spaniard, who hasn't been that high since April's Bahrain GP, reckons he could have nabbed second if only he hadn't made a mistake on his final flying lap.
"We know that in wet conditions our performance improves a little bit," he said.
"We were waiting for some wet races but it only came in the last in Brazil.
"To be honest I have mixed feelings.
"I am happy to be so high up the grid because we have started between seven and tenth in the last five or six grands prix which is not ideal so being in the first three is good.
"But I'm not totally happy with my lap.
"I lost a lot of time, not enough to beat Seb who is too far in front of us but I think second was less difficult.
"I think second could have been possible but I'm not sad with third and the opportunities in front of us for tomorrow race."