Lewis Hamilton eliminated from Q1 as three cars including Carlos Sainz crash into the barriers, triggering three red flags, while Max Verstappen faces a 17th-place start for the Sao Paulo Grand Prix

Lewis Hamilton was sensationally eliminated from qualifying in Q1 in a scarcely believable sub-par performance in the wet.

The seven-time world champion’s day of horror unfolded as Franco Calopinto lost control and spun into the Rolex hoardings at Turn 3. The red flag was waved, bringing an eight-minute pause to proceedings. The rain intensified at this point.

This was potential bad news for Mercedes, with both their cars in the drop zone. Hamilton, who has carved his legend in the wet, was rock bottom, 11 seconds off the top. George Russell was only two places above him.

Russell escaped with some ease when the action restarted. Hamilton did not. It was an astonishing scene. This was the Hamilton who produced one of the two greatest drives in rain-soaked conditions the world has ever known – Silverstone in 2008, winning by a minute, to stand comparison with his hero Ayrton Senna’s magic at Donington in 1993.

There were three red flags after three crashes, including one from Carlos Sainz (above)

Pictured above, Sainz’s car being lifted off the track after crashing into the barriers

Hamilton was amphibian that day 16 years ago – and then this. He finished wo seconds behind Russell. It was one of the most staggering performances I have witnessed in reporting more than 300 grands prix. ‘The car was undriveable,’ said Hamilton, who is 16-5 down to Russell in qualifying this season.

Either Hamilton is being sabotaged by Mercedes or something serious is wrong with him. He is 39 years old, and one wonders whether he can ever recapture the preternatural nerve and skill that took him to the pinnacles of motor racing during a long peak.

Max Verstappen has been hit by a five-place grid penalty for the Brazil Grand Prix on Sunday

Due to the fact he was knocked out in Q2 in qualifying on Sunday, Verstappen ended up qualifying the 12th-fastest. Therefore, he will start the race in P17

But history tells us never to write him off. He has made a career of producing conjuring acts at moments of crisis. It would be the most Hamilton thing in the world to win the race from seeming oblivion this afternoon.

A penny for the thoughts of John Elkann, president of Ferrari, who is paying a goldmine for Hamilton’s services next year and the one after.

More to follow…