Hamilton and George Russell completed the podium last time out in Barcelona, behind Red Bull’s Max Verstꦇappen, a sure sign that the upgrades they brought had delivered some value.

While Red Bull’s dominance is unlikely to be overthrown any time soon, the gap to the chasing pack is becoming smaller and it has given Hamilton hope as he arrives to 💧a grand prix that nobody has won more times than 💜he has.

“We have made pro😼gress,” he said. “Since the last race weﷺ’ve all been buzzing. The whole team has new energy.

“Weღ have a North Star - we know where we’re going.

“We don’t know if this track suits our car andꩵ its characteristics.

“This is onꦫe of the drivers’ favourite 💦circuits - it’s the city, the circuit, the energy.

“The track is a bit like a go-kart track, throwing the car over the kerbs, a big braking🐼 circ🍌uit which has always been my strength.

“We know that toge𓃲ther we can get there if we keep our heads down and focus on the engineering, the science. 

“I honestly think we have the best development rate. As good, if not better, than any🍌 team in 🎶the sport.”

• FIRST LOOK: Aston Ma💛rtin’s new sidepods - closer to Red Bull’s?

Mercedes’ immediate battle, before worrying about Red Bull, may be꧃ with Aston Martin.

Their customer ওteam shocked the F1 paddock at the start of 2023 by establishing themselves as the team directly behind Red Bull.

But they fell away at the Spanish G💎rand Prix, 𒐪a result they hope was a one-off.

Aston Martin have unveiled some substantial upgrad🍌es for theꦜ F1 Canadian Grand Prix meaning the stakes are raised in their battle with Mercedes.