Lewis Hamilton hopes Mercedes’ subsequent batch of automotive upgrades – the most recent of which will likely be rolled out at this weekend’s Hungarian Grand Prix – will quickly enable them to copy their British Grand Prix-leading glory.
Mercedes, which has not gained in F1 for 19 months after George Russell’s victory in Austria and Hamilton’s win at Silverstone, heads to the Hungarian circuit in Budapest looking for a 3rd consecutive win. .
Hamilton’s thrilling win at residence got here only a day after Mercedes sealed the entrance row of the grid with a stunning one-two outcome.
Though Hamilton does not consider the 2 former champions are nonetheless on the identical degree as Purple Bull and McLaren when it comes to velocity, he believes they aren’t far-off from becoming a member of their ranks.
“There’s nonetheless a protracted, lengthy option to go, however this automotive is on no account the quickest automotive on the circuit proper now,” mentioned Hamilton, who has began 56 races and not using a victory.
“I feel we’re fairly shut, and I am hoping that with some upgrades, perhaps within the subsequent improve, we’ll be in a greater place to have the ability to actually, actually battle extra constantly on the entrance.”
Since upgrading the beforehand underperforming W15 on the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix in Might after which introducing a brand new entrance wing on the following Monaco occasion, Mercedes have discovered their improve package deal Lastly achieved what they hoped for on trtck.
Solely McLaren has scored extra factors than the Silver Arrows previously six races, with both Russell or Hamilton ending on the rostrum the previous 4 weekends.
“We’re motivated for the upcoming double-race,” crew boss Toto Wolff mentioned forward of the back-to-back races in Hungary and Belgium, which is able to carry F1 into the summer season break in early to mid-August.
“Now we have continued to make progress within the W15 in latest races. This has led to headline leads to Austria and Silverstone.
“Nonetheless, we all know we do not but have a automotive that may problem for wins each weekend. The crew is working laborious to enhance efficiency and we hope it will allow us to try this. These efforts will proceed over the following two years. Race till shut.
Can Mercedes make it three wins in a row on the glad looking grounds of the previous?
Earlier than Russell’s latest pole positions in Canada and the UK, Mercedes had solely been quickest in qualifying twice for the reason that present technical guidelines have been launched to F1 firstly of the 2022 season – each occasions in Henley. Grohling Circuit.
The truth is, Russell’s Budapest pole in 2022 and Hamilton’s Budapest pole in 2023 truly stay undefeated on the go-kart-like observe, a streak that dates again to 2020, the Mercedes pole There’s truly an unbeaten document on the go-kart-like circuit, a document that dates again to 2020, the 12 months Mercedes final gained the race.
Hamilton’s personal document on the Hungaroring is unmatched – he has gained the race eight occasions.
Wolff added: “The character of the Hungaroring is totally different from the previous few circuits. Not like Silverstone, it has a variety of tight and twisty sections and just one significant straight.
“Nonetheless, it does embrace some high-speed corners, so it is going to be one other good take a look at of what we are able to obtain within the nook velocity vary.
“Going into the weekend we will likely be targeted on doing the most effective we are able to. We wish to preserve this constructive trajectory and end the primary half of the season as sturdy as attainable.”
Sky Sports activities F1 dwell Hungarian Grand Prix schedule
Thursday, July 18
1.30pm: Drivers press convention
Friday, July 19
8.50am: F3 follow
10 a.m.: F2 follow
12 midday: Hungarian Grand Prix follow one (begins at 12.30 midday)
2pm: F3 Qualifying
3pm: F2 Qualifying
3.45pm: Hungarian Grand Prix follow two (begins at 4pm)
5:15pm: F1 Present
Saturday, July 20
8:45 AM: F3 dash
11.15am: Hungarian Grand Prix follow three (begins at 11.30am)
1.10pm: F2 dash
2.15pm: Hungarian Grand Prix qualifying preparations
3pm: Hungarian Grand Prix qualifying
5pm: Ted’s Qualification Pocket book
Sunday, July 21
7:20 am: F3 Particular Race
9 a.m.: F2 Particular Race
11 a.m.: Porsche Tremendous Cup
12:30pm: Sunday Grand Prix – Hungarian Grand Prix preparations
2pm: Hungarian Grand Prix
4pm: Checkered flag: Hungarian Grand Prix reactions
5pm: Ted’s Pocket book
F1’s subsequent race is the Hungarian Grand Prix in Budapest from July 19-21. You may watch each race dwell on Sky Sports activities F1. Watch each F1 race and extra with a NOW Sports activities Month-to-month Membership – no contract, cancel anytime