Lewis Hamilton says the winning pole position for the German GP is impossible however, he has higher hopes for the race.

Silverstone saw the 2008 world champion record his worst grid position of the season, the Englishman subsequently blaming his fifth row slot on his team's poor tyre strategy. Despite further team gaffs on the Sunday, Hamilton was able to salvage 12 points by bringing his McLaren home in fourth following a typically epic performance, particularly in the opening stage of the race.

While the team will seek to improve its strategy this weekend, especially in the wake of the media mauling it received post Silverstone, Hamilton doesn't have high hopes for a spot at the very front of the grid on Sunday afternoon.

"We definitely can't challenge for pole," he told reporters, before quickly adding, "having said that we don't know what fuel (load) they are on.

"I think our race pace is perhaps closer than we had in the last race," he continued, "which is a good thing but over a single lap, they have definitely got about a second on us. We are pushing as hard as we can, the car's feeling pretty good."

Earlier in the day, the Englishman was fined 1200 euros (£1057) for speeding in the pitlane.