F1: Lewis Hamilton explains recent Mercedes wins after back-to-back wins

Lewis Hamilton has admitted that Mercedes’ improved performance surprised him after successive victories in Russia and Turkey.

It is the first time the team has won races in a row since the Spanish Grand Prix in May.

Hamilton won his 100th race in Formula 1 in Sochi, before teammate Valtteri Bottas won his first race of the season in Istanbul, in which he had a clear pace advantage over runner-up and Hamilton’s title rival Max Verstappen.

Hamilton finished fifth after a late pit stop and is six points behind Verstappen in the drivers’ standings ahead of the United States Grand Prix this weekend.

When asked about the recent successes of Mercedes, the seven-time world champion said: “We haven’t done anything on the car, so I don’t know exactly why that is.

“I think the two tracks we have just raced on might have suited us a little more.”

“The car felt good. It felt great this weekend and Valtteri did a great job.

“If he can continue to drive like this in the next races, that’s good for the team and if the car behaves the way it does this weekend this weekend, that’s good for us.”