Hamilton denies 'depressing' claim over Mercedes performance

Lewis Hamilton has denied that he is finding Mercedes' wait for added performance “depressing”.

Mercedes has slipped back in the F1 pecking order over the last handful of years, struggling for performance under the current set of technical regulations.

The Brackley-based squad is awaiting its first podium of the campaign and currently sits fourth in the constructors' championship.

Team principal Toto Wolff previously detailed that it would be several races before Mercedes' upgrades deliver a reasonable step forward.

When asked by media including RacingNews365 if that assessment is depressing, the seven-time world champion replied: “I wouldn't say it's depressing - it's just a patience game. 

“You are just making do with what you have, making the most of the tools that you have at your disposal today, tomorrow and this weekend. 

“But it is really encouraging that we are seeing progress back in the factory and the wind tunnel.”

All hands on deck

Hamilton is currently partaking in his final season with Mercedes ahead of his switch to Ferrari next year.

The 39-year-old has continuously reiterated his desire to end his tenure with Mercedes on a high as he hailed the effort being undertaken to improve the team's form.

“We do have new components coming and that's always an exciting part of the processes, trying lots of different things and then finding out what works and what doesn't,” he said.

“And the fact that we do have kind of a direction forwards, and we've tested it on the simulator, then you're just like itching to get those bits.

“So they're working, people are really, really pushed. 

“This is the real pushing time for people in terms of spending time at the factory and working to get these things brought earlier. And we need all hands on deck, we know we have that already.”