Hamilton fires 'game on' warning to Verstappen and Norris

Lewis Hamilton has warned Mercedes F1 rivals that it is "game on" following a "surge" in performance over recent races.

A front-wing upgrade in Monaco has helped Mercedes to become a stronger package, with George Russell taking pole in Canada and Britain with a win in Austria as Hamilton ending a long 945-day win drought at Silverstone last time out.

For the first time in the ground-effects era, Mercedes appears to be a regular contender for race wins, with the team currently fourth in the constructors', 74 points McLaren and 81 behind Ferrari in second.

Russell leads Hamilton 111-110 in the drivers' standings, with the seven-time champion feeling bullish heading into Hungary, a track he has won at eight times and took pole in 2023.

Max Verstappen and Lando Norris have been the major obstacles Mercedes has been trying to overcome during its run of improved form, and whilst Hamilton does not think the Hungaroring is make or break, he is keen to lay down the challenge.

"I mean, I don't feel that this particular one is the ultimate test, I think every weekend has been the ultimate test of sheer willpower and our team's persistence," Hamilton told media including RacingNews365. 

"We don't want to get ahead of ourselves, that is key in our approach, but also like 'f-it, it is game on. 

"We're fighting, we're chasing and we're going to try and win as many as possible and compete for as many wins as possible.

"Now, it may turn out this weekend that Red Bull or the McLaren is still lightyears ahead this weekend, who knows?

"But what we've shown over the past few races is that with determination, with real focus and just persistently chasing for perfection and improvement, you can make a difference.

"We are united as a team, and we're going to make sure that we finish the season on a high, and if we can lift the team up the ladder in the constructors', if we can progress, then we are not too far off the drivers up ahead of us and that would be great."

Signing off

2024 is Hamilton's final season at Mercedes before heading to Ferrari in '25, but he has remained as committed as ever to turning the team around, and feels that a "huge surge of energy" has passed through Brackley as the team tries to recover its position.

"Starting the year, I wanted to sign off on a high, but we weren't sure whether or not, results-wise, that we would get there," Hamilton added.

"We didn't know that by this point of the season, we would be fighting for wins and we are so grateful that we are, it is a huge boost.

"I don't feel like the spirit ever left this team, but when you are trying and trying and trying and failing, it is hard for everyone.

"Everyone is rejuvenated, both here and back at the factory of what is possible and that the hard-work is really starting to pay off. 

"We're seeing a huge surge of energy and it has filtered through us - and so I hope that continues to show in our results.