Hamilton lets go of early-season pressures

Lewis Hamilton says he has exorcised his demons and is enjoying his racing once again, after confessing in Canada that he had put too much pressure on himself earlier this season

The McLaren driver got his campaign back on track with victory in Monaco and, after an assured performance to grab pole position in Montreal, he has admitted that life is much better now than it was a few races ago.

"I don't really think my confidence has changed a lot," said Hamilton, looking at how he has recovered from the lows of Malaysia and Bahrain earlier this year.

"In the last three races, bit-by-bit, step-by-step, we have improved and we have come away with strong finishes. So for sure that adds to your confidence.

"For me, the answer to the issues we had in Malaysia and Bahrain was I think I put a lot of pressure on myself. Too much. And that led to mistakes, being too on the limit. I wasn't really enjoying it, to be honest.

"Obviously I enjoyed the first race, I was quite relaxed there, but then I went to the next two races and I wasn't in the right frame of mind. But I fixed that.

"I am enjoying it. I am happier than ever. And I am loving the life that I am living. I wish I had more time for my family, which I need to work on. But otherwise, I think all these sort of things do add up. And I am comfortable where I am."

Hamilton has said his contentment has helped him feel at one with his McLaren, which has given him the confidence to push hard on the tricky Montreal circuit.

When asked about the way he runs so close to the walls at the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve, Hamilton said: "I only think it is close when you actually touch it! Every lap I am confident. You have to have the confidence to know the size of your car and you know your abilities. It is using all the road if you can.

"There were times at the beginning of qualifying when it was close and I was thinking: hang on a second, I have got to get to Q3 yet.

"I have confidence in my car. I know what it is going to do, and being able to anticipate any instabilities you are going to have is a great thing. It gives you great power.

"So I was very, very comfortable - and it is a great feeling. The challenge is how close you can get to the wall without hitting it. But I won't be doing that in the race - I just want to get around and finish."