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Mercedes W04 can win 10 races - Hamilton

Lewis Hamilton secured his first victory of the season in Hungary © Getty Images

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Lewis Hamilton says the Mercedes at his disposal is capable of winning every race for the remainder of the championship.

Having struggled to replicate its qualifying dominance in the race consistently so far this season, Mercedes appears to have overcome its tyre difficulties after Hamilton's victory in Hungary. With father Anthony saying in 2012 that Hamilton needed to win 10 races to win the championship, Hamilton says he now feels the W04 is quick enough to do so.

"Last year I didn't feel like I had the car to win 10 races," Hamilton told The Independent. "But this year I feel I have a car that can win 10 races. The tyres are going to play a massive part of that, but I truly believe in this car. It feels awesome. It feels like it's there with the Red Bulls and the Lotuses. [In Hungary] I think our pace was very similar.

"If we can continue with that qualifying pace, get ourselves up front and have the tyres working as they did, we can fight with them. The Mercedes is different to other cars I've driven. It's one of the best. The 2008 McLaren was pretty good. I want to say the Mercedes is even better than that."

Hamilton also said that he expects to be strong at the upcoming races in Belgium and Italy, increasing his belief that he can challenge for the championship.

"The tracks coming up should suit me. I am really looking forward to the second half of the season; it's normally my favourite part. We have still got improvements to make but this is a good step in Hungary."

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