- Mercedes
Recovery drives 'better than wins' - Hamilton
Lewis Hamilton says his recent fights through the field have been more special than victories given the hard work which has gone into each one.
Qualifying issues in Germany and Hungary meant Hamilton had an uphill battle to get anything from either race, but he finished third on both occasions after storming through the pack. Though he has been frustrated by recent problems Hamilton says he takes a certain degree of satisfaction from his drives through the field.
"I can't express to you the pain that you feel when you have issues such as the issues that I've had in the last couple of races," Hamilton said. "It's very, very difficult to swallow, and, to come back the next day and get the right balance between not attacking too much, and not making mistakes, all these different things.
"But ultimately we've worked and I've worked hard for it, so it feels probably better than perhaps a win, gliding from the lead. It feels definitely much more satisfying when you come back through. And to be ahead and to win the fight is really encouraging.
"Obviously when you're at the back you're having to push way past the limit than perhaps you would off pole position or in the top five. So the fact that I'm managed to come back through obviously is a showing of just how great this car is and how great this team is."
Despite being pleased with his recent performances Hamilton knows those issue could have an adverse affect on his championship.
"But ultimately reliability a concern, as I've had more than him … I think the saying is it's beyond a joke. It's made it very difficult for this championship but the telling thing now will be how the car performs for the rest of the year."
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