Formula One: Lewis Hamilton's Monaco hope

Hamilton is still searching for his first win this season, and his first in nine races with his last coming in Singapore in September.

The 25-year-old is convinced that, with the McLaren he has beneath him, an elusive triumph to boost his championship chances is just over the horizon.

"Although we weren't at the top of the times the car felt good," said Hamilton after finishing seventh quickest in practice at the end of yesterday's two 90-minute sessions.

"I love being here, and on this track the car feels light years ahead of last year's car.

"We've made some good steps forward with the set-up and, although everyone is quite competitive, I think we should be okay. We'll still have to do our homework, hopefully do a good job and fight for the top three.

"Although this is the best place to win, I'm not going to get my hopes up because we know how competitive everyone is. We've just got to hope, and do the best job we can.

"But a win here would be the beginning of hopefully something very special, although I won't apply pressure on myself and say it will come this weekend. My performances have been pretty good, so I just have to build on that, and eventually it has to hit a peak with a win."