Hamilton relaxed about hat-trick bid

Successive wins at Silverstone and Hockenheim have left Lewis Hamilton [Images] feeling relaxed about his Hungarian Grand Prix chances, the Formula One championship leader said on Thursday.

Speaking to reporters ahead of Friday's first two practice sessions at the Hungaroring, Hamilton said his victories in the British and German Grands Prix would help free his mind as he chased his first Formula One hat-trick.

"The difference is when you have a bad weekend you go into the next thinking 'okay, let's start again' and trying not to make the same sort of mistakes again," said the 23-year-old McLaren driver.

"But when you come off a win you don't have any thoughts like that. You just plan to do exactly the same thing. You feel relaxed and you don't have any confusion in the back of your mind."

Hamilton is bidding to become the first driver to win three races in a row since Michael Schumacher [Images] in 2006 and the first Briton to do so since Damon Hill in 1996.

"That's of no importance to me at all," he said. "Of course I would like to continue with the momentum I have but our aim this weekend will just be to score as many points as we can.

"If we have the car to win I will try to do that but otherwise it will just be nice to get on the podium."

Hamilton's Hungarian preparations were given a further boost by the announcement his McLaren team mate Heikki Kovalainen had signed a one-year contract extension.

The Briton said his colleague's contribution had helped foster a much more harmonious atmosphere than last year when the team's involvement in a spying scandal combined with discord between Hamilton and former team mate Fernando Alonso [Images].

Last year's Hungarian race was a particularly bitter time for McLaren, with Hamilton being prevented from completing his final qualifying lap after being blocked by Alonso in the pit lane.

"It's a much smoother year this time, a nicer environment, and that's how things should be," said Hamilton who went on to win here last year after Alonso was removed from pole position and demoted to sixth on the grid.

"I think we're better placed as a team to win the championship this year. We don't have any excess baggage on our shoulders and I have a solid relationship with my team mate which helps."

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