Hamilton seeking Mercedes improvements after “terrible” F1 start

The seven-time world champion started at the front of the grid after setting the fastest time in Friday evening’s qualifying session, but slipped behind his main title rival Max Verstappen on the run to Abbey.

Hamilton was unable to get back ahead of Verstappen, who went on to claim pole position for Sunday’s British Grand Prix and take the additional three world championship points on offer.

“I hit target on my start,” Hamilton said. “It’s just not good when you lose from P1 but we will try and turn a negative into a positive tomorrow.

"But I'm grateful to have finished and tomorrow we'll fight again, but I mean they're just so strong in the race.

"He was pulling away, there was nothing I could do to hold on to him. So, we've really got to try and be at the front somehow.

"They've [Red Bull] done a great job with their engine, their starts are really great this year.

"We’ve lost a bit of performance on our starts, so we've got to work a bit harder to try and improve that, because losing positions is never a good thing.”

Hamilton explained what he meant by his ‘hit the target’ comment later in the FIA press conference.

“We have a target position which you have to hit with your clutch,” he said.

“The goal was to be on target and I was on target, so I did what I was supposed to do but it didn’t deliver, for whatever reason, I don’t know why. I had a lot of wheel spin and the rest is history.”

Despite being disappointed to have been defeated by Verstappen, Hamilton said he enjoyed F1’s new-weekend format, especially qualifying on Friday.

"I wish we could redo the start again, luckily we can do it all again tomorrow,” Hamilton added.

“I don’t know how it was to watch for the fans but I think this weekend has been awesome. It was such a fun day to have qualifying on Friday, way more enjoyable.

“I don’t know whether that was the most exciting race or not, but we should do more like that, maybe a different version of it in future because it makes the weekend more enjoyable.

“I need everyone to bring their energy again tomorrow, and I’ll bring my A-Game.”