LEWIS HAMILTON clawed his way from the back of the grid to finish eighth in a truly remarkable Spanish Grand Prix, as the most unbelievable start to an F1 season took another astonishing twist in Barcelona.

The McLaren ace was denied a third pole of the season after his car ran out of fuel in the final lap of the third qualifying session.

Hamilton had already done enough to secure pole position at the Circuit de Catalunya, but lacked the fuel to get him back to the pits and provide a one-litre sample for inspection, as the rules require.

As a result, he was relegated to 24th and started the race in dead last.

But in an inspiring display of aggression and desire, Hamilton fought back to finish eighth, one place ahead of team-mate Jenson Button.

The 2008 world champion, who sits third in the current driver's championship standings, said: “I’m proud of my performance today, and proud of the team too.

"They did a great job: a real improvement with the pitstops, following our difficulties in that area recently. All in all, then, I think today’s result was the best we could do.

“I was the only driver to attempt a two-stop strategy, and I’m glad I was able to made it work. People often say that I have an aggressive driving style, but my final stint on the Prime tyre was 31 laps, so I reckon I proved today that I can make tyres last.

“It was a huge challenge to come through the field from the back, but I never gave up for a single second, right up to the finish line. Before the race I said I’d race my heart out, and that’s exactly what I did. For me, that’s what racing is all about.

“Today was all about damage limitation. But, now, looking at the bigger picture, I can’t really complain because, despite the setbacks I’ve had this season, I’m still only eight points behind the leader of the drivers’ world championship.

“The team has been working extremely hard, and our car is quick. So, when things go right, I think we’ll be in a great position – and it’ll come to us before too long."

Ninth-placed Button added: “The Formula 1 form-book is very mixed-up at the moment, which is unusual, but that’s the way it appears to be going this season.

"As for us, well, a lot of my afternoon was spent stuck in traffic, and I had a Sauber breathing down my neck for most of the race.

"All in all, we weren’t quite quick enough today – but that’s something I need to solve myself. I need to find a set-up that suits me better as I feel like I have pretty poor grip at the moment.

“Having said that, I’m already looking forward to Monaco and a much better weekend there. It’s a circuit I love and hopefully a place where we can achieve a good result.”

Pastor Maldonado took top spot on the podium as Team Williams stormed to a first F1 triumph in eight years.

But celebrations were cut short as an explosion in the fuel storage area of their garage covered the pitlane in smoke and left crew and family members fearing for their lives.

Thirty-one mechanics were treated in hospital.