The team principal, Toto Wolff, heralded Hamilton’s charge from 19th to a fifth-place finish as indicative that they finally have a car poised to join Red Bull and Ferrari at the front of the grid and a tilt at the title. Pitting with a puncture immediately afterwards Hamilton returned to the field 50 seconds off the lead and 38 seconds from the nearest car. “We just need to have a car able to finish first and second. Mercedes trail Red Bull by 75 points but their performance differential to previous races this season could not be more marked. “We were third with George and that is strong,” said Wolff.

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