What also probably stunned the living legend was an elimination at the Hungaroring, a track where Hamilton has secured a record nine pole positions. That includes a surprise pole for the 2023 Hungarian Grand Prix, the last time he qualified up front for a grand prix.

Ferrari team principal Fred Vasseur won't pin the blame for Lewis Hamilton's early qualifying exit solely on the driver's shoulders.

The British driver will start from 12th in Sunday's race while Ferrari team-mate Charles Leclerc managed to snatch pole position away from the dominant McLaren drivers