Lewis Hamilton has cast doubt on whether Mercedes can win in F1 this season. The seven-time World Champion provided further optimism of a revival for the Brackley-based outfit with pole position at the Hungarian Grand Prix - his first since Saudi Arabia 2021. But Hamilton slipped back to fourth in the race, with runaway championship leader Max Verstappen 39.1 seconds ahead by the end of the race. Mercedes last took a victory with George Russell at the São Paulo Grand Prix last year - the Silver Arrows' only triumph since a switch to ground effect aerodynamics. Asked if he felt the team could win this term, Hamilton told media including RacingNews365 : "At the moment, I am not quite sure we can come out and compete with their race pace. "The were times in the last race than Max was around eight-tenths faster than everyone on a single lap. "But never say never."
Love the track
F1 arrives at the Belgian Grand Prix for the last race before the summer break with the weekend overshadowed by questions over the safety of the Spa-Francorchamps layout. Mercedes teammate Russell revealed drivers had turned down changes to the Eau Rouge-Raidillon complex and Hamilton added: "I love the track the way it is. "It is not my job to decide what needs to be changed or how it should be changed."
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