The 22-year-old GP2 champion had been a fixture near the top of the timing charts throughout practice and was an equally strong contender in qualifying.
Indeed, he outpaced McLaren team-mate Fernando Alonso in the first two knock-out sessions and gave the world champion a serious run for his money in Q3.
“I’m overwhelmed, it’s fantastic,” he told ITV Sport’s Louise Goodman.
“I just want to say thank you to the team, they did a fantastic job preparing the car.
“And yeah, what a dream to be on the second row for my first grand prix – it couldn’t be better.”
Hamilton might have qualified higher still but for a small mistake on his final flying lap, and his grid berth on the second row means that a podium finish a real possibility.
But the Briton was reluctant to make any hostages to fortune.
“Hopes for the race are to score as many points as possible for the team and for myself,” he said.
“I just want to get a good, clean start on the first lap and see how we go from there.”
When pressed as to whether a podium was on the cards, Hamilton replied: “We are in a good spot, so…I won’t say anything just yet, I will just see what I can do.
“But I will be working my hardest for sure.”
One of the most impressive features of Hamilton’s debut so far is how cool and composed he has appeared, seeming to take the intense pressure and media scrutiny in his stride.
“This is what I’ve been preparing for for the last 13 years – it wouldn’t be good preparation if I wasn’t,” he explained.
