Lewis Hamilton "truly believes" he can still win a Formula 1 race this season despite a lack of competitiveness from his Mercedes so far in 2022.
When the Hybrid Era began in 2014, the Silver Arrows adapted quickest and launched an unprecedented run of success. They have won each of the last eight constructors' titles with Hamilton at the heart of that success for the Brackley-based team.
But the story is much different now after the latest major change in car designs. Mercedes went in the wrong direction this time, and have spent the season to date catching up to the likes of Red Bull and Ferrari, who adapted much better.
Hamilton has won at least one race every season for the past 15 years, but is yet to extend that record in 2022. But with Mercedes improving and closing the gap to the front of the grid, the Brit is refusing to give up hope just yet.
"There was a long way back," said Hamilton of his team's struggles to make rapid improvements to the W13. "Earlier this year, I definitely wasn't sure we would ever get a win in this car.
"But that was... obviously not the way we like to think but obviously the feeling like 'Jeez, this is a long way to catch up', knowing the progress that everyone makes. But definitely, hugely encouraging, particularly for a long time we would make changes and it wouldn't do what it said it was going to do and improve the car.
"It was a good step in Barcelona [when Mercedes introduced their first car upgrade] and then we had several difficult races following it. We had this last race, or the last two races, that were quite strong.
"That really is encouraging us that there is potential in the car and with a little bit more digging and a little bit more hard work, we can get closer to winning a race. So I truly believe that we can get a race win this year."
There has even been talk that win for Mercedes might even come as soon as this weekend's French Grand Prix. Red Bull chief Christian Horner admitted he believes the Silver Arrows are "there or thereabouts", while ex-Renault racer Jolyon Palmer said Hamilton and George Russell are "dark horses" for the win at Paul Ricard.
