Lewis Hamilton has now achieved five consecutive podiums in the 2022 Formula 1 season as Mercedes continue their recovery. Momentum is with Hamilton and Mercedes, and he believes he isn't that far behind Max Verstappen and Red Bull Racing.
Clawing back
Hamilton's Hungarian Grand Prix perhaps personified their season so far. Hamilton started from seventh after a DRS issue in Q3 prevented the Brit from advancing any further during the second run. With a better session in qualifying, Hamilton believes it could've been even better.
"Really happy. To recover from seventh is huge for us. If we had that lap yesterday we would've been on the front row and today perhaps would've been a different result. I got a good start, that last stint was pretty special. If you look at Max's race, he started 10th, spun and won the race by [around] 10 seconds. Tells you everything about their car," Hamilton said in a conversation with Sky Sports.
"We have found something and we can compete with the Ferraris. In a straight-out race, I don't think we're that far behind Max. I'm excited about the second part of the season."
Summer break
Formula 1 now enters a four-week break. Hamilton admits he is looking forward to this break where he hopes to switch off and enjoy the "special things he has planned."