Lewis Hamilton heads to the next grand prix in Hungary never having felt so upbeat after finishing last in a race.

In a revamped McLaren that had propelled Hamilton to fifth on the grid in qualifying for the German Grand Prix, there were genuine hopes of a podium place.

But they disappeared within a few hundred metres of the start line after Hamilton's car sustained a puncture to his right-rear tyre.

After being forced into an immediate stop to replace the deflated rubber, the damage to the car caused by running on a shredded tyre for a lap wrecked the remainder of his race at the Nurburgring.

The world champion eventually trailed home 18th and last, as there were two retirements, and despite obvious disappointment, Hamilton is buoyant and optimistic ahead of the second half of the season.

"It definitely wasn't the result we were hoping for before the race," reflected Hamilton, who has now failed to score a point in his last five grands prix.

"We'd had such an encouraging practice and qualifying and I thought I could get a good result for myself and the team, but it wasn't to be.

"Despite that, I'll be going to Hungary feeling very encouraged. We have to look on the positive side.

"If we'd turned up at the Nurburgring and discovered the upgrades we'd brought were a disappointment then it would have been a huge blow to everyone.

"But as far as we know the upgrades made a huge difference to our performance, and I believe everyone was encouraged, relieved, happy and positive that all the effort and hard work back at the factory was starting to deliver performance gains on the track.

"For the first time this year I actually felt I had a race car under me that I could control instead of it controlling me.

"I'm hopeful we can carry that performance - and more - through to Hungary."

Team boss Martin Whitmarsh believes Hamilton will have a car at the Hungaroring to push for a win, something he perhaps could have done yesterday if circumstances had been different.

"If Lewis had have come out of the first corner as he should have done, in the lead, then he would have been difficult to beat," said Whitmarsh.

"But at least there was some progress made, and we have to make sure we keep pushing and there is more progress at the next race.

"Although we always go for a victory, we've not always had the equipment to do it, but hopefully there we will have the equipment to really go for it."

Despite McLaren seemingly closer to the front of the grid than they have been all year, Hamilton insists it is no revival, more a case of learning this year to plan for next.

"It is a work-in-progress," stated Hamilton.

"The team has more improvements planned, and it would be great if we could further close the gap to the leaders and think about attacking at some of the races, but we are remaining realistic.

"Red Bull and Brawn both have fantastic cars, and it will be incredibly hard to just turn up and be able to compete with them.

"At least we are now on the right track with our upgrades and the development process continues for both this year and next.

"While it's nice to think about race results and running at the front, I look at this year as a development one for all of us, and one which will only make us stronger."