Felipe Massa was one of three drivers who got caught out by the chaotic conditions which prevailed in a Q1 segment which lasted 1 hour and 14 minutes.
Following some initial running on wets, the Brazilian pitted for intermediates but just bit the white line on the exit of Turn 4, which pitched the Williams across the track and in to the barriers, ending his qualifying session.
When suggested that he had perhaps changed a tad early for the intermediate compound, Massa defended the choice.
"On was an out-lap and just trying to understand the track," Massa explained.
"I just lost the car on aquaplaning at corner 4, there was like a river coming in the middle, but on every corner before that I felt the intermediates were the quickest tyres. Unfortunately I hit the guardrail."
On the radio to his team just after the accident, Massa labeled the mishap as "unbelievable".
"I meant it wasn't nice that these things happen and you lose qualifying like this. I'm sorry for the guys and we need to concentrate for tomorrow."
Massa will line up 18th on tomorrow's Hungarian GP grid.
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Romain Grosjean column: Safety car starts and summer breaks
Chris Medland's 2016 Hungarian Grand Prix preview
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