Hamilton desperate for McLaren revival

Lewis Hamilton (right) and Jenson Button were both off the pace at Silverstone
9 July 2012

Lewis Hamilton is praying that McLaren can find a major step forward to stop his title hopes slipping away after a dispiriting British Grand Prix at Silverstone.

Hamilton and team-mate Jenson Button had been hopeful of a strong showing on home soil, but the pair struggled for pace and could ultimately manage only eighth and 10th place finishes respectively.

Having been outpaced by Red Bull and Ferrari at two contrasting circuits in Valencia and Silverstone, the team appear to have a sizeable task on their hands to catch up to their rivals, and Hamilton said: "We are still in the fight but unless we find something it is going to be hard to stay in the fight."

He went on: "I raced my heart out as always but we just struggled, we did not have enough speed in general.

"I wish we could have done better at my home grand prix but the others have clearly made another step forward so it was a real tough race.

"We have a lot of time to find from somewhere, we need a lot of downforce from somewhere.

"I don't know where the guys can find that but I really pray that they can find it."

McLaren have little time to find the required improvements to the MP4-27 with just two weeks until the German Grand Prix at Hockenheim.

Hamilton does not expect an upturn in form to arrive in time for that race, one of three taking place over four weekends during a crucial phase of the season.

"I am sure we will have a very similar car (at Hockenheim) but with some upgrades," he said. "I hope we can have a better race. These guys in front have really picked up. Mercedes, Lotus, Red Bull and Ferrari have all picked up a lot of pace so we are a little bit behind at the moment."

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