Hamilton predicts more wins for Mercedes

London, June 1 (IANS/CMC) The 2008 Formula 1 world champion Lewis Hamilton says Mercedes can win again this season but must not be distracted by the recent tyre-testing controversy.

Mercedes won in Monaco with Germany's Nico Rosberg, who also secured the team's fourth successive pole position, while Hamilton finished fourth.

The victory was Mercedes' first since China in April last year.

"I really do feel that this team is just going to continue to improve through the year," said Hamilton Friday.

"Once we understand these tyres more, which we will eventually get to, and then I think another win is definitely on the books."

The victory was clouded by the revelation that Mercedes had tested with Pirelli earlier in the month without telling other teams and seemingly in breach of the sporting regulations that ban teams from in-season testing.

After a protest by world champions Red Bull and Ferrari, the governing International Automobile Federation (FIA) is now considering whether to send the matter to an international tribunal that could impose heavy sanctions.

"I think it's important that we just stay focused and don't be distracted by a lot of stuff that's around us," said Hamilton

Mercedes and Pirelli have both denied doing anything underhand or gaining any competitive advantage over rival teams from the Barcelona test.

"It's so easy to do that (be distracted), and especially for the drivers and the team when we are at the track," Hamilton, who is in his first season with Mercedes after leaving McLaren.

"I think it's important we just keep our minds clear and just keep doing the job at hand."

--IANS/CMC

bs/rd