In ignoring instructions to let by Mercedes team-mate and title rival Nico Rosberg on lap 51 – given the two drivers were running different strategies - Hamilton put his own interests first ahead of the team.

On the other hand, Hamilton is not there to hand Rosberg a free pass to this year’s championship as he has no doubt he would have finished behind the German in Hungary if he had let him through.

Instead, Hamilton grabbed a stunning third having started in the pit lane after a fire during qualifying wrecked his car, with Rosberg a place further back in fourth, to cut the gap between the two to 11 points.

It was the second astonishing drive from Hamilton in a week, bearing in mind he started 20th in the German Grand Prix and again went on to finish third after a brake-disc failure in qualifying.

Reflecting on his decision in Hungary once the adrenaline had abated, the 29-year-old said: “It was not about questioning authority, and I don’t think I was being ruthless.

“I was not even being bloody minded. I was doing my job and got to the top.

“I am hired to race and bring in points for the team. I am also hired to be me and race my heart out.

“I did not start at the front of the pack. I started from the pit lane, so in my mind I could not afford to lose anything else. I have already given away too much.

“At the end of the year I could be looking back saying ’if only the car did not catch on fire’, or ’if only the brakes didn’t fail’, ’if only I hadn’t made a mistake in qualifying’, ’if only the engine had not stopped in the race’...all these things.

“So it was just a case of not giving a single point away. I tried my hardest to be ahead and I don’t feel as though I was being obligated to help.”