Hamilton targets shock French win

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Hamilton will start the race at Magny-Cours handicapped by a 10-place grid penalty following a calamitous Canadian Grand Prix.

Yet, despite Magny-Cours being track where it is difficult to overtake, Hamilton said: "For sure, it's going to be tough, and we know we are already on the back foot. But knowing the pace and momentum we had in Canada, it just shows anything can happen. I feel quite confident we can still win there - that's my job. I have to have that belief in myself and the team."

The McLaren star was left red-faced after crashing into the back of title rival Kimi Raikkonen's Ferrari at the end of the pit lane in Montreal.

Trundling along at 30mph, Hamilton failed to spot Raikkonen and eventual race winner Robert Kubica had stopped for a red light.

The McLaren star braked too late, and was unable to avoid hitting Raikkonen, resulting in an early retirement for both drivers.

The penalty handed down by the stewards means that even if Hamilton sets the fastest time in qualifying in France, he will still start outside the top 10 for the first time in his Formula One career.

Hamilton, speaking at the launch of the 'Go Motorsport' campaign at the McLaren Technology Centre in Woking, later tempered his enthusiasm - if only slightly.

"The key is to score points, and we obviously need to score as many as we can," he added. "I still feel we can finish in the top three, but it's going to be a real challenge.

"Going on to Silverstone (British Grand Prix), we don't want any 10-place penalties for that! It's my home grand prix and it would be very special for us to win it."