Championship leader Lewis Hamilton says his performances in the first six races of this season have been “average”, feeling he hasn’t extracted the full potential of this year’s Mercedes.

The reigning world champion claimed a lights-to-flag win at Sunday’s Monaco Grand Prix, withstanding intense pressure from Red Bull’s Max Verstappen for much of the race.

But despite four victories from six grand prix’s and a 17-point advantage in the drivers’ standings, Hamilton admits he isn’t overly satisfied with his personal performance.

“I definitely feel that it’s been quite an average performance from myself,” Hamilton said.

“Maybe above average but generally quite average for the first six races.

“I feel like I’ve got the best I could get. I’ve arrived prepared – the best prepared I could be – but in terms of extracting the true performance from the car, I feel like I’ve struggled a little bit in these six races.”

Mercedes has hit the sweet spot with the design of the W10 to meet the 2019 aerodynamic regulations, with the car seemingly suited to all types of circuits.

Nevertheless, Hamilton sights personal improvements over the coming events, but anticipates confidence to bolster once he becomes more familiar with the cars behaviour.

“I guess it’s kind of similar to other seasons but without doubt it’s going to improve as the knowledge you gain over the season race by race, particularly with the tyres this year, where the window is even smaller,” he added.

“I do anticipate things will get better, as it will be for all of us.

“I hope, at some stage, that I’m able to crack the issues that I’ve had and get back to the form that I have within me.

“Whether that’s the next race or ten races from now, I can’t really say but I am very, very focused on making sure I rectify any of those.”