There was also huge disappointment for Racing Bulls rookie Isack Hadjar, who failed to make it to the start line after spinning out during the formation lap.
The 20-year-old cut a dejected figure as he made his way back to paddock as he wiped away the tears on what should have been the biggest day of his career.
Many of the sport's major figures came out in support of stricken racer, including Red Bull team principal Christian Horner.
"It was quite heart wrenching to see him so gutted in his first grand prix," Horner told media.
"I think the positives he needs to take out of it when he reflects on the weekend. He performed very well through the practices and the qualifying. You forget that these guys are just kids really."
Hadjar cut a dejected figure as he made his way back to the Racing Bulls garage
"When I saw it happen, my heart just sank for him," Hamilton Sr told Sky Sports.
"Not just for him, for his parents, for everything they've done to work hard to get to this one point, and it's like it's snatched from you."
Red Bull chief Marko, however, took a different view to the racer's reaction, and delivered an incredibly harsh verdict on what transpired in Melbourne.
Speaking to Austrian broadcaster ORF, he said: "Isack Hadjar did a little bit of crying after his crash. That was a bit embarrassing."