Another double podium at the Hungarian Grand Prix was a "huge" result for Mercedes as they closed in on their stuttering Ferrari rivals.
The Italians desperately needed a clean weekend in Budapest, but it wasn't to be. Charles Leclerc might have challenged for the win, but his team placed him on hard tyres mid-way through the race which would not switch on in the cool temperatures and he was only able to limp to sixth place.
It was a much better day for Mercedes, though, even if George Russell was unable to convert his first ever pole position into a maiden race win. He still managed the podium in third, one place behind Lewis Hamilton whose late charge might have even threatened the winner Max Verstappen, had it not been for a late virtual safety car.
After the race, a delighted Hamilton crowed about the "hugely satisfying" result. He told reporters: "It's a great feeling for us, given the year we've had, and obviously to see the progress that we've started to make.
"Last week [in France], just getting the second place last week was huge for us already, and this is now two races in a row that George and I have shared a podium, which is fantastic for the team, points-wise.
"To both finish ahead of the Ferraris is huge for us, given the pace that they've had. And for me, obviously, starting the race in seventh and getting up here is a great recovery. I think given the troubles we had through the weekend, that shows that we've got really great pace."
Things are looking good for the Silver Arrows after a terrible start to the season. After getting their development wrong on their W13 cars, a victory this year looked to be impossible – but that is no longer the case, and Hamilton is more confident of adding to his record 103 race wins in 2022.
"That's what we're working towards," he added. "I think this weekend, there was a potential for a win. You saw George on pole. I think if we had both been up there, I think we probably could have worked a bit better together as a team. One of us would have had to support each other strategy-wise.
"But I think if we are able to take this pace into the second half of the season for sure we can start to fight with the guys. This is the first time we've been able to fight and battle with a Ferrari. That's huge for us. I think the Red Bulls probably still are ahead.
"The fact that Max started 11th [sic] and spun and still was 10 seconds ahead says enough about their car but I think we still have made huge progress and huge steps. And so to have this consistency and two double podiums in these last two races gives us great hope and a huge push for the second half."
