Lewis Hamilton admitted it was a “massive enhance” to finish his Method 1 podium drought on the Spanish GP however mentioned Mercedes nonetheless wanted “all fingers on deck” to keep up their current degree of enchancment.

F1’s most serial podium finisher had not completed within the prime three positions of a grand prix for 12 races – the longest drought of his profession – however an achieved drive at Barcelona on Sunday noticed him overcome a tough begin to the race to register his 198th rostrum look.

Hamilton’s drive included spectacular overtakes on Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz and, with 15 laps to go, team-mate George Russell, who he had dropped behind when the sister Mercedes had catapulted into the lead at first.

Requested concerning the significance of the consequence for him and the staff after a tough yr to date, Hamilton mentioned: “Sure, massive enhance to lastly get a very good consequence.

“It has been a minute since I have been up right here within the race. So an enormous, big thanks to the staff who’ve finished an incredible job to… Simply with all of the processes by way of the race weekend, however notably everybody again on the manufacturing facility for working so laborious the extra-long hours to convey parts to the automobile. and we’re slowly getting nearer.

“I imply final yr we had been very quick right here, however it’s important to take it with a pinch of salt, however clearly the final couple of races we have additionally been comparatively aggressive.

“So I feel we have now closed the hole a bit of bit however we nonetheless have a very good couple of tenths to attempt to discover. So we have simply obtained to have all fingers on deck and hold pushing.”

A sequence of constant automobile upgrades have improved Mercedes’ fortunes in current races and on the final two occasions they’ve been forward of Ferrari, who began the yr as Crimson Bull’s closest challengers and stay second within the Constructors’ Championships.

However Crimson Bull and McLaren stay an additional step forward, as evidenced by Sunday’s race.

“We’re undoubtedly getting extra constant,” mentioned Hamilton.

“And if I can simply get my qualifying to be like this weekend, then it makes the Sunday a lot simpler. Additionally, in case you get a very good begin.

“However my Saturdays have been so dangerous for the final, like, 15 races. So it is good to have a clear weekend. And hopefully, this places us in a very good place to problem within the subsequent few races.”

Hamilton reacts to Sainz’s ‘ran me off’ declare

After pitting later than Sainz on the first stops, Hamilton needed to cross the Ferrari on monitor and did so with a daring, however well-judged, transfer down the within of his rival on lap 19 into Flip One.

The 2 vehicles made gentle contact, with Sainz taking to the run-off space. The Spaniard then claimed over staff radio that Hamilton had “ran me off”.

Satisfied Hamilton’s transfer was incorrect by the letter-of-the-law, Sainz instructed Sky Sports activities F1 afterwards: “I feel he ran me off the monitor. Then we are able to think about whether or not it is laborious racing or it is authorized.

“For those who comply with the rule e-book because it’s written precisely then I do not suppose it was authorized however in case you ask me as a racer, I feel it was a tricky transfer.

“However I am simply utilizing the rulebook clearly on condition that I additionally obtained a penalty for that in Miami. So simply making an attempt to go looking consistency with the way in which the foundations are utilized and simply ensuring I used to be transmitting that to the FIA.”

For his half, Hamilton mentioned the transfer felt truthful and “fairly superior to me”.

“I feel it was clear,” mentioned the Briton, who’s changing Sainz at Ferrari subsequent yr.

“Finally, he did not absolutely cowl the within line. He left the door open, which I went for.

“A late transfer alongside him. I feel we had been wheel to wheel. He was nonetheless on the monitor, so I left him house, as a lot as I might.”

F1’s triple-header continues on the Austrian Grand Prix this coming week – with the Dash format returning on the Crimson Bull Ring. Watch each session dwell on Sky Sports activities F1, with Sunday’s massive race at 2pm. Stream each F1 race and extra with a NOW Sports activities Month Membership – No contract, cancel anytime