Austrian Grand Prix: Lewis Hamilton 'truly believes' Mercedes can win in 2022

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Lewis Hamilton says recent progress by Mercedes has reassured him that he will be able to win a race this year.

The seven-time champion is the only driver in history to have won a grand prix every year of his F1 career.

Hamilton said consecutive podium finishes have "encouraged us that we are moving in the right direction".

He added: "With a bit more hard work, hopefully we can get closer to having a chance of winning. I truly believe we can get a race win this year."

Hamilton said that at the beginning of the season the car was performing so poorly he was concerned Mercedes would never return to competitiveness in 2022.

"There was a long way back," he said. "Earlier this year I definitely wasn't sure we would ever get a win in this car, but that was not the way we like to think.

"It felt there's a long way to catch everyone up knowing the progress everyone makes."

But two separate upgrades - one at the Spanish Grand Prix in May and another at the British Grand Prix last weekend - have helped Mercedes understand their car, and the team now believe they can make further progress towards the front over forthcoming races.

Hamilton's remarks are a major turnaround from just two races ago, when after Friday practice in Canada he described the Mercedes as "a disaster" and "the worst I have felt any car here".

"[It's] definitely hugely encouraging," Hamilton said. "For a long time, we would make changes and not see it do what it says it was going to do, or improve the car.

"It was a good step in Barcelona, but then we had several difficult races following it. Then we had the last two races."

He now believes "there really is potential in the car".

But after challenging the Ferraris for victory at Silverstone on Sunday, Hamilton does not expect to be as competitive at this weekend's Austrian Grand Prix.

"At Silverstone there was definitely potential to win the race," he said.

"With our current performance, we are not at the same level as the teams ahead of us - we needed everything to align.

"We have always struggled in Austria so it is going to be hard to win here knowing the combination of corners. But not impossible.

"The weather is up and down. I am hopeful we will be pleasantly surprised tomorrow, but I might be wrong. But I am staying hopeful."


BBC
 

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