Lewis Hamilton says he still has the mindset that he is "chasing" Nico Rosberg despite moving ahead of his Mercedes team-mate for the first time this season by winning the Hungarian Grand Prix.
World champion Hamilton passed pole-sitter Rosberg after getting a great start at the Hungaroring on Sunday and went on to secure a victory which moved him six points clear at the top of the standings.
There appeared to be no stopping the German in his quest for a maiden world title when he opened up a 43-point lead earlier this year, but Hamilton has come storming back in another pulsating title duel.
But now that he sits in first place, three-time world champion Hamilton insists he will not change his approach.
"I am very proud of coming back, but there's a long way to go," the British driver said.
Asked about the significance of taking the lead, he added: "It's not massive. Right now, I am still with the same mentality of still chasing."
Hamilton felt his lap one crash with Rosberg at the Spanish Grand Prix, which resulted in both drivers retiring from the race, has proved to be a pivotal moment.
Since the incident, Hamilton has won five out of six Grand Prix.
The 31-year-old added: "Spain has definitely ended up being a turning point. It didn't feel like it was; it was rock bottom: 'Basically, where do we go from here?' The only way was up.
"I managed to get my head together and get on with it even though I have fewer engines, and all these different things that didn't seem to be working with me, just deal with it.
"Since then we have pulled together and I really would love to come out of the next race with another result like this so when I do go to Spa or Monza, whichever one it is where I take the penalty and I start from pit lane or last place, that is the minimum damage, it doesn't mean I am 25 points behind.
"I don't really want to get back to there. I honestly feel we are in the strongest position we have been all year in terms of our performance and how unified we are."
Comments
SHARE