Charles Leclerc has conceded he has "never experienced" driving conditions such as those presented to drivers in qualifying for the São Paulo Grand Prix.
The Ferrari driver will line up second on the grid alongside Red Bull's Max Verstappen on Sunday after a hectic end to Friday's running at Interlagos.
Q3 began with dry conditions but with the threat of rain imminent as the sky blackened over the circuit.
Verstappen was first across the line with the best of the conditions but everyone else struggled - Leclerc fighting for grip despite the rain not yet falling.
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But with conditions worsening as high winds and, eventually the rain, hit the circuit, no one could better the top two, before the session was red-flagged and completed early.
"It works well for us," said Leclerc, addressing his session.
"In my whole career, I have never experienced something like that.
"At Turn 4... I mean there was no rain but the car was extremely difficult to drive, no grip, I was thinking about just coming in at the end of the lap but I finished and I was P2.
"So a really good surprise, but it was a very weird one for everybody out on track today, but I am happy to be on the front row anyway."