Lewis Hamilton's 44th Formula 1 career win came at just the right time according to the 31-year-old, providing his mechanics – who have worked tirelessly to overcome the reliability problems that have struck his car this season – with a boost for the upcoming races.
Whilst team-mate Nico Rosberg's side of the garage has enjoyed much of the success this season, winning all but one race before the Monaco weekend, Hamilton's season has been frought with trouble, much of it beyond his control.
But a brilliant drive and some luck after Red Bull's pit blunder, saw Hamilton take his first win of 2016 to close the championship gap between him and leader Rosberg to just 24 points as the sport heads to Hamilton's most successful circuit – Montreal, where he has won four times previously.
"I still can’t quite believe I’ve got my 44th Formula 1 win," said the Briton. "It’s taken so much hard work from so many people throughout my career to reach this point – way too many to name – and it’s a very special landmark for me and my family.
"I have to say how grateful I am to my mechanics for sticking at it and sticking with me after what’s not been an easy start this year. It felt great to be back on the top step after a tough run and hopefully it was a big confidence boost for them too, because they’ve been doing a great job all season."
Hamilton warned his rivals that he's not lost any of his speed and he'll be aiming to close the gap to Rosberg further in the coming races.
"There’s a long way to go yet. We’ve seen from these opening six races that anything’s possible and these swings inevitably go both ways," he added. "We are the greatest team – but we have more pressure from our rivals than ever before, so it’s important we keep pulling together and refining any weak areas.
"I’ve proven that I’m just as strong as I’ve ever been and I will be for the rest of the year, so I’m looking forward to the next chapter.
"Montreal has always been a good track for me, so hopefully I’m able to shine like I did the first time I went there in that great city atmosphere."
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