Lewis Hamilton says Mercedes recovery is remarkable

Although Mercedes took its maiden grand prix victory in China last year, its campaign tailed off thereafter and it did not reach the podium after June.

It returned to the top step in Monaco this season with Hamilton's team-mate Nico Rosberg.

Speaking ahead of his home British Grand Prix this weekend, Hamilton says he never expected the team to live up to all it had promised when he was convinced to sign.

"When we started this season people were saying, 'well you never expected this, you never expected that'," said Hamilton, who has produced one pole position this season but has yet to win.

"I honestly had high hopes coming here, and when I saw the developments that were going on, and saw the trace of where the car was looking, I had to take it with a pinch of salt.

"I had to take a leap of faith - and it seemed to be a good leap of faith because it has turned out quite well."

Hamilton is impressed with the good work ethic he has found at Mercedes, and thinks the fact the team has won already means there is a fresh hunger to deliver more victories.

"The car is great this year," he said. "The guys have done a remarkable job with what they have done here. To turn a car that was that bad, to now being a very competitive car, is just remarkable.

"And it shows how strong a team we have here, and what a strong group of intelligent individuals there are who are massively hungry to win and succeed.

"But we have not won enough, and the guys are going to be pushing harder than ever to get those results."