Lewis Hamilton showed all his skill and experience as he cut through the field to finish fifth in Sprint Qualifying after starting the short-format race from the very back of the grid.
The Mercedes ace was given a blow before the session when it was announced his time from the previous day's qualifying session had been scrubbed by officials.
Stewards at the Brazilian Grand Prix had investigated his car over a potential technical rule breach, and their investigation found that the DRS system on his rear wing did not comply with the regulations.
So instead of taking his place at the front of the pack for the new sprint race in Sao Paulo, Hamilton was left with the assignment of making as much progress as he could with 19 other drivers ahead of him for the 24-lap dash.
It was another setback for a man who already knew he would have a five-place grid penalty for Sunday's race, after being forced to take another new engine in his car for the final few race weekends of the season.
But instead of feeling sorry for himself, the Briton served up a reminder of exactly why he has been able to win seven world titles.
Hamilton clearly had the bit between his teeth, and had already pushed up into 16th place after the first few corners.
After just a few laps he was already within touching distance of the top 10, which would likely have been his target for the session with damage limitation the priority.
More than that, though, at the start of the final lap he was in sixth and produced an outrageous overtake on the helpless Charles Leclerc which got the enthralled Brazilian crowd cheering.
The result means he starts the main race 10th – certainly not ideal, but it is a much better starting position than he might have had to contend with.
It will give Hamilton confidence that he will be able to repeat the trick on Sunday and cut his way through the field once again.
And he will likely benefit from team-mate Valtteri Bottas starting on pole, as the Finn may be able to slow title rival Max Verstappen down enough for the Briton to catch up with him.
Every point will count, with the Red Bull racer now 21 ahead of Hamilton in the title race thanks the the two more points he picked up in Sprint Qualifying.
Verstappen has outscored Hamilton at each of the last three races, and if he does so again in Brazil then the Mercedes ace will be left with a mountain to climb over the final three races of the season if he is to add an eighth world title to his impressive trophy collection.
