Monte Carlo, Monaco - Winning the Monaco Grand Prix has transformed Lewis Hamilton's Formula One season and provided a timely boost for those working on the triple world champion's side of the Mercedes garage.
The reigning champion switched the group of engineers and mechanics around at the end of 2015, with most of those who had worked with Hamilton now assisting his team-mate Nico Rosberg.
With Rosberg winning the first four races of the season to build a substantial lead in the championship, Mercedes has already had to deny conspiracy theories and the pressure was building.
Sunday's race, with Hamilton making the right strategy call and clearly faster than Rosberg, who was asked to move aside after struggling to get his tyres up to temperature, was the champion’s first success of the season.
“Hopefully it will be a boost for my mechanics who have been nervous all year,” Hamilton said. “It's not easy coming from one side of the garage to the world champion's car.
“Because of the issues we've had, they probably felt like 'we're not delivering' but they have been delivering. Today must be a great relief for them and I am grateful for them for sticking through it, sticking with me.
“Hopefully today will give them the confidence to know that I am just as strong as I've always been and I will be for the rest of the year.”
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Hamilton had been 43 points behind Rosberg before Monaco, the showcase race that every driver wants to win, but ended the weekend only 24 adrift and with everything to play for.
With 25 points for a win, and 15 rounds remaining, he now heads to one of his favourite races in Canada with high hopes of reducing the deficit further.
Despite Sunday's unexpected bonus, Hamilton said Mercedes was under more pressure than ever.
Red Bull won in Spain, 18-year-old Max Verstappen becoming the sport's youngest winner, and was favourite to win again in Monaco before a calamitous pit-stop cost Daniel Ricciardo first place.
Ferrari, off the podium in Monaco, is also hoping to come back much stronger in Montreal in what is shaping up as a three-way battle despite Mercedes winning five of six races so far.
“There are still issues, mistakes are being made,” Hamilton added. “You are starting to see some more buckles here and there. What is really important is that we pull together; we need to refine a few areas.”
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