Seven-time Formula 1 World Champion Lewis Hamilton has hailed Mercedes’ performance at the Hungarian Grand Prix.
Hamilton and team-mate George Russell crossed the line in second and third place respectively, with Red Bull’s Max Verstappen winning the race.
The result marked Mercedes’ second consecutive double-podium result of the 2022 campaign, as it slowly recovers its performance following a slow start to the year.
The Brackley-based squad got both of its cars ahead of Ferrari at the chequered flag, with Carlos Sainz and Charles Leclerc ending up fourth and sixth respectively.
“It’s hugely satisfying,” Hamilton said after the race. “It’s a great feeling for us, given the year we’ve had and to see the progress we’ve started to make.
“Getting the second place was huge for us last week and this is now already two races in a row that George and I have shared a podium, which is fantastic for the team, points-wise.
“To both finish ahead of the Ferraris is huge for us given the pace that they’ve had and for me, obviously starting the race in seventh and getting up here is a great recovery.
“I think given the troubles we’ve had this weekend it shows we’ve got really great race pace.”
Ferrari has come under pressure for strategy decisions it made during the race, however team boss Mattia Binotto believes car performance was its biggest downfall on Sunday.
Mercedes has shrunk the gap to Ferrari in the Constructors’ Championship, and now rests just 30 points behind their rivals for second.
The team is still yet to take a win this year, although it has taken a smattering of podiums, including at the last six races.
When asked if Hamilton could’ve challenged for the win by starting the race on the Soft tyres, mirroring team-mate George Russell’s strategy, the Briton said: “We would definitely have been closer to Max I would have thought, but who knows?
“Maybe I wouldn’t have been able to go the same distance on those tyres. Who knows?
“If we had started where we should have started without the problem yesterday, I think we would have then been in a much better place to race Max today.”
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