© Steve Etherington for Mercedes-Benz Grand Prix Ltd.
Lewis Hamilton says Mercedes didn’t expect to be able to fight for pole in Hungary, and adds what he’s “been searching with this car is confidence to be able to really send it”.
After getting an amazing pole position at Hungarian Grand Prix Qualifying, Lewis Hamilton explained what was happening with Mercedes on the track and behind the scenes.
“It feels like my first pole,” the Briton told Sky Sports F1.
“I know there’s been a lot and it feels strange to say that. I don’t remember the last time I had a pole.
“We were not expecting that coming into the weekend. We didn’t have an upgrade, we just made small tweaks to the rear and front wing.
“The car felt terrible yesterday and we did some really great work overnight. We were relieved it felt good this morning.
“But not in shooting range of the other guys – they just seemed a bit too far ahead for us.
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“I almost didn’t get through Q1 then things get better and better. What I’ve been searching with this car is confidence to be able to really send it.
“I know how to do the fastest lap pretty much everywhere, but there are ones where it comes more natural and it’s easier to connect corner by corner, sector by sector.
“That last run I knew I needed a tenth or so to get ahead of these guys. I just sent it and was like: ‘nothing to lose’.
“I threw it into the high-speed corners, trying to match their speed. Hopefully I wasn’t too far off.
“It was a great, great lap,” Hamilton concluded.
