Hamilton believes Mercedes podium isn’t ‘far away’

Lewis Hamilton has expressed optimism over Mercedes’s chances at this weekend’s Canadian Grand Prix, where he will also take on the new front wing debuted by team mate George Russell last time out in Monaco.

Mercedes have yet to score a podium finish so far in 2024, with Red Bull keeping their place at the top of the pecking order over the first third of the season, and Ferrari and McLaren emerging as their nearest challengers.

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However, as the campaign rolls on to Montreal, the scene of Hamilton’s first F1 win some 17 years ago, the seven-time world champion shared his hopes that the Silver Arrows will be a step closer to the fight at the front.

“The car is continuing to improve,” he said, highlighting a smoother ride and corner entry stability as the biggest gains so far. “I think everyone is obviously taking a step, hopefully, closer to the Red Bulls, and I think that’s been really positive.

“But I’m incredibly proud of everyone back at the factory, just how hard everyone’s working, how resilient everyone is, and everyone is just staying very focused, head down, and the morale is really great in the team.