There was despondency at Hamilton's former team McLaren, struggling to extract performance from their car, with 2009 world champion Jenson Button failing to make the final stage of qualifying for the first time this year. The Briton will start 14th, with the new upgrade package brought to this race failing to live up to expectations more than anyone could have feared.

The only glimmer of hope for McLaren was provided by Mexican Sergio Perez, who qualified ninth.

"For Jenson, it's a disappointing outcome," said principal Martin Whitmarsh. "We've not analysed the data yet but there is some evidence that he tyre pressures were too high otherwise we hope he would have snuck through."