Hamilton may have needed a huge stroke of luck to clinch his first victory of the season last time out in Baku – but it was all down to him and a superior car in Barcelona.

The Briton took a stunning pole position and then crushed the field on Sunday afternoon, crossing the line 20.5s clear of the pack in what was the largest winning margin of 2018 and the biggest in Spain since 2010.

“I couldn’t have done it without this incredible team,” said Hamilton. “Today the car and myself, I felt that synergy today, which I haven’t felt this year.

“This is when we’re going to start to continue to apply the pressure. We have the Mercedes board with us, it’s great to have them here, for them to see that force in the team – the strength and depth.”

Hamilton extended his lead to 17 points in the drivers’ championship, having been 17 behind after the second race of the season in Bahrain, however he remained cautious.

“You can only take it one race at a time,” he said. “This weekend, we got ourselves on the right path. The team did an exceptional job. I didn’t know what the pace would be.