• Hungarian Grand Prix - Qualifying
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Upgrades paying off - Hamilton

ESPN Staff
July 28, 2012 « PURE suspends engine development | Vettel struggles to maximise RB8 »
Lewis Hamilton: "It's been a really positive weekend so far" © Sutton Images
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Lewis Hamilton said McLaren's recent updates allowed him to push harder during qualifying at the Hungarian Grand Prix and secure pole position for Sunday's race.

McLaren brought a major upgrade to the last race in Germany, but both drivers struggled to get the best from it in wet conditions in qualifying. There are a number of smaller upgrades on the car in Hungary and Hamilton said the job the team has done in recent weeks finally paid off after he took pole by 0.413s.

"It's been a really positive weekend so far," he said. "The guys have done a really good job as always preparing the car and to finally see the upgrades working this weekend allowed me to put the car in places I wasn't previously able to do. Generally every lap has been quite good in practice and qualifying apart from the first lap in Q3."

Hamilton said McLaren's long-run pace also seemed strong during practice.

"I did my long run yesterday and it didn't seem so bad, but it was on a green track. Other guys did their long runs today, Jenson seemed quite happy with his and I hope that is the same on my side."

He is hoping his pole position will be the catalyst to get his championship challenge back on track.

"This is motor racing, we're not saying we're relaxed about it because we've got a lot of work to do and we're trying to make sure we start that work this weekend."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
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