Lewis Hamilton aims to continue his momentum from the British Grand Prix at Sunday's Hungary Grand Prix in order to snatch the Formula One championship lead from Sebastian Vettel for the first time the season.

The Mercedes driver Hamilton could set the stage for a possible sixth victory on the 4,381-kilometer Hungaroring on Saturday by drawing level with Michael Schumacher on a record 68 pole positions.

Hamilton moved within one point of Ferrari's Vettel with victory at Silverstone on July 16 and moving ahead at the start of the second half of the 20-race season and heading into a four-week summer break would be a big confidence booster for the Briton.

"This result really opens up the championship - and we go to Hungary next, where I've always gone well," Hamilton said.

"Without a doubt we hope it stays the way that it's swung this time but, as you know, a pendulum swings. We're just hoping that we can be on our toes to react to whatever is thrown at us in the next races."

Mercedes motorsport chief Toto Wolff had a similarly cautious approach regarding Hamilton.

"The win in front of his home crowd was emotionally charged and I am sure he is carrying that energy with him right now. As we see almost each weekend, he is equaling and matching new records in our sport's history - and building a legacy as one of the sport's greatest drivers," Wolff said.

"Budapest has always been a good circuit for him but, as he knows better than anybody else, the past is no guarantee of future performance. It's all about the right preparation, hard work and delivering on the day."

While Mercedes delighted in Hamilton's win ahead of teammate Valtteri Bottas, Ferrari have to pick up the pieces after Kimi Raikkonen had to settle for third and Vettel even for seventh instead of on the podium after they both suffered late punctures.

"There is no reason for panic but we have to be careful," Vettel said.

Vettel appears to have run out of steam a little after finishing first or second in the first six races before missing the podium in three of the following winless four.

Vettel won in Hungary two years ago and will hope that the trend continues that no driver wins two races in a row this season.

Ferrari boss Sergio Marchionne has urged "an instant reaction" and team principal Maurizio Arrivabene also hopes Ferrari can rebound in Hungary.

"Even if the reasons are obvious, complaining about losing a second and a fourth place is not Ferrari's style. The hard fact is that we lost a lot of points in both the constructors' and drivers' championships," he said.

"We leave here, set on improving quickly, with humility and determination."