Mercedes boss Toto Wolff says Lewis Hamilton's winless run before the Monaco Grand Prix strengthened the world champion's relationship with the team.
Hamilton won in Monaco after eight races without a victory, seven of which had been taken by Mercedes teammate Nico Rosberg. He endured a difficult start to his title defence in 2016, with qualifying engine issues in China and Russia and a first-corner collision in Bahrain.
Those engine issues led to Mercedes having to refute allegations of sabotage on social media, with Hamilton calling on his fans to trust the team. The team then came away from Spain without a point after Hamilton collided with Rosberg on the opening lap of the Spanish Grand Prix.
Wolff says Hamilton's win in Monaco was just what he needed after such a long run of bad luck and misfortune.
"These last couple of weeks have strengthened him and strengthened our relationship," Wolff said. "That's how I perceive it. If you go through really bad times together it builds the relationship and gives the relationship even more strengths.
"We had many discussions in the difficult moments and in the end this is just what the doctor ordered. We needed that win, he needed that win, and we put Nathan on the podium - his number one mechanic - and although I feel for Nico that it wasn't going well for him it's just a big relief that we were able to score that win with him after such a terrible streak of bad luck."