Lewis Hamilton returned to form at the Autódromo José Carlos Pace by topping first practice for the Brazilian Grand Prix by half a second.
Hamilton was five-tenths of a second clear of Mercedes teammate Nico Rosberg at the top of the timesheets.
A warm and sunny Interlagos circuit proved to lack grip in opening practice with many drivers struggling to keep their cars on the circuit. Home hero Felipe Massa was one of many who struggled, often losing the rear end.
Ferrari’s Sebastian Vettel was best of the rest in third ahead of Red Bull’s Daniel Ricciardo, who is running an upgraded Renault engine this weekend.
Kimi Raikkonen finished first practice in fifth position, one second off the pace set by Hamilton. The Finn spun at turn three with 10 minutes of the session remaining, but he did not sustain any damage.
Daniil Kvyat ended up sixth fastest ahead of Valtteri Bottas, Max Verstappen, Nico Hulkenberg and Pastor Maldonado.
Jolyon Palmer replaced Romain Grosjean for FP1 at Lotus finished the session 12th fastest.
Home hero Felipe Massa struggled in opening practice and was down in 17th, six-tenths slower than teammate Bottas.
