Lewis Hamilton is confident of becoming a winner again within the next few grands prix, but feels Sunday would be too soon.

A revamped McLaren has radically transformed Hamilton's fortunes over the last couple of days ahead of the German Grand Prix.

There were accusations of showboating after Hamilton topped the practice timesheets on Friday, that he was merely putting on a good show on the home turf of engine suppliers Mercedes.

But the world champion proved that was far from the case, because he will start fifth at the Nurburgring - equalling his best qualifying run of the year, with only the Red Bulls and Brawns ahead of him.

Asked if a win were possible on Sunday, the 24-year-old replied: "I don't know about that.

"We need to take it one step at a time. But I'm very happy, and very proud of the job the team have been doing.

"The guys back at the factory have been on the limit, and they did a fantastic job to bring part of the upgrade package here.

"It's put us on the right road because, before, we were almost up to a dead end.

"We can start exploring this new avenue - and fingers crossed, there is light at the end of the tunnel and there's success in places to come.

"With more updates coming, I hope within the next three or four races we are competing for wins. I honestly think we can do that."

Hamilton now has so much more confidence in his car after a lean time of late.

He has failed to finish in the points for the last four races, and had not made it out of Q1 at the last three.

"I have more stability. My confidence has grown over the last day-and-a-half to be able to push more, extract more - knowing the rear end is not going to slide out, like it did," explained Hamilton.

"It's now beginning to work with the tyres, and through that we've found even more time - so it's very positive.

"It's lifted the spirits of the team, my spirits as a driver. It's given me a boost, knowing I can push and drive."

The changeable conditions throughout qualifying enabled team-mate Heikki Kovalainen to qualify sixth, the first time both McLarens have made it into the top 10 on the grid this season.

That was despite the fact Kovalainen's car lacks the majority of the new parts that have been fitted to Hamilton's.

Team boss Martin Whitmarsh feels a podium is possible, maybe even a win if the weather plays havoc.

"The ambition is for lots of rain, chaos and a win please! I don't think that's out of the question," said Whitmarsh.

"But there could also be lots of rain, chaos, you get it horribly wrong and you are not in the points.

"But if you put aside weather and other events we ought to have the ambition to race up to the first corner, be aggressive and see if we can get on the podium.

"We've two great racing drivers. You get them near the front, and they can do the job.

"We got them a bit closer here, and I'm sure they're going to lift their game as well. That's what great racing drivers do."