Lewis Hamilton was left "positive" but "confused" by his "completely transformed" Mercedes in Dutch Grand Prix qualifying.
The seven-time world champion had to settle for fourth fastest at Zandvoort on Saturday, but was only three-tenths off the pole time set by Max Verstappen.
But more encouraging for Hamilton is the fact Mercedes are seemingly back on track after the "kick in the teeth" in Belgium a week earlier.
“I was fighting for it,” he told Sky Sports on if he could have had pole.
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“It was really such a positive feeling to come from a difficult weekend, difficult result [at Spa].
“The car has completely transformed this weekend just because of the different type of track, and to be fighting with only like a tenth between us and a Red Bull, it felt very reminiscent of good times of last year.
“I really was hoping maybe I could just make that little difference and potentially get ahead at the end," he added.
"I was up, but whether or not it was up enough to be pole? Probably not, but definitely fighting for the front row.”
Sadly for Hamilton, his final run was compromised by Sergio Perez spinning at the penultimate corner, and Mercedes boss Toto Wolff believes that did cost his driver a first pole of the season.
“It’s very frustrating,” the Austrian commented. “We were a tenth up on Verstappen and on Leclerc, so Lewis played for pole here.
“You lose pole because of a yellow or you lose a few hundredths by running first – it’s always afterwards you know better.
“Anything is possible. We have a strong race car, starting on the second row, so let’s see where that can get us tomorrow.”
A good Saturday. Let’s chase a GREAT Sunday 👊
— Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team (@MercedesAMGF1) September 3, 2022
See you tomorrow, Zandvoort… pic.twitter.com/qmhj6bIEn3
Hamilton too hopes Mercedes' typically stronger race pace this season can bring them into play on Sunday.
"Much happier coming into this weekend, to have a car that’s potentially fighting [for the win] but I just don’t understand," he said.
"One weekend it can be so far off and the next weekend all of a sudden we’re right there, so it’s confusing for sure.
"But lots of positives to take from today, if that can then reflect our race pace, that’d be awesome."
