Mercedes boss Ross Brawn believes that Lewis Hamilton still has time to mount a challenge for this year's drivers' title.
Hamilton is yet to win for his new team since moving from McLaren and trails leader Sebastian Vettel by 43 points, but Brawn is confident that the improved car will bring better results.
"Lewis can battle for the title, why not? Things are still wide open in the title race," he told reporters.
"Lewis deserves a win, and everything should fall into place this weekend, as it didn't quite do so at Silverstone."
The 2008 world champion took pole position at last weekend's British Grand Prix, only for a tyre failure to end his chances of a race win.
Hamilton was fastest in first practice for Sunday's German Grand Prix at Nurburgring, ahead of teammate Nico Rosberg.
