Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton has insisted that he can stay ahead of the Red Bulls of Sebastian Vettel and Mark Webber in Sunday's German Grand Prix.

Hamilton held off the challenge of both drivers to clinch pole position, and although he said that it will be possible to turn it into a win, the challenge ahead remains "very hard".

"I think it is going to be very hard," he told Autosport. "The Red Bulls have made a step this weekend, and I think a lot of teams have made a step forwards.

"Webber said to me that the tyres seemed to work on his car, so I think perhaps they have potentially gained a bigger advantage than we have with this switch of tyres. His long run was very strong the other day, so I anticipate that they will both be strong tomorrow - but of course it would help if we could get into Turn 1 in the lead and hold them behind.

"We still have degradation issues, so it is not something that we have completely cured, but I don't think it is impossible."

Vettel qualified second and Webber third for Sunday's race.