LEWIS HAMILTON and team-mate George Russell now have a shot at winning races.
That's according to Juan Pablo Montoya, who claims that Mercedes have had a "big, big upgrade" during the F1 break.
There are still nine races left on the calendar this season and Brit racer Hamilton sits sixth in the individual standings.
The upcoming Belgium Grand Prix on Sunday signifies the end of the month-long break for the drivers.
Hamilton, 37, whose father Anthony is of Grenadian descent, took the time to travel across Namibia, Rwanda, Kenya and Tanzania on a self-discovery mission.
The seven-time champ has not won a race since December last year, but legendary driver Montoya thinks that may change soon.
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F1 star Hamilton ‘transformed’ by Africa trip & raring to go for Belgium GP
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He told Vegas Insider: "The rumour is that Mercedes has a big, big upgrade coming for their cars.
"And, if that is the case, Mercedes really comes up with a car, which is really cool to see from Mercedes.
"It is very exciting. Mercedes is still gonna get better, against everybody else, but everybody else in the field is gonna stay very constant.
"Because they all keep developing and making the cars better to drive, easier to drive.
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"Everybody is getting a little more comfortable with the new package, and understanding the new package.”
“So I think the way everybody is developing the cars is going to be very similar, but I still think that Mercedes out-develops everybody else. That is my two cents.”
"The question is, is Mercedes’ step so big that they start winning every race, and they are going to win the last nine races, and they are going to do one, two, seven or eight times, and you know, they have a shot at the Constructor Championship, while everybody else fumbles?”
I see Mercedes might have a shot at winning a couple of races this year if their developing goes well
“Or their step is, ok, we are starting to fight against Red Bull and Mercedes, and we are just there? That is the more realistic version of what I see coming.
"I see Mercedes might have a shot at winning a couple of races this year if their developing goes well."
Hamilton said he was "transformed" by his trip through Africa.
And it could prove to be the perfect reset after a tough start to the season where he remains winless – and on the longest drought of his F1 career.
He has not won a race since the Saudi Arabian GP last December, but said the break was "some of the best days of my entire life".
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