Lewis Hamilton says he is confident he can overcome his recent start problems and retain first place into Turn 1 during Sunday's United States Grand Prix.
Problematic starts have become a regular theme of Mercedes' season in 2016. Hamilton has particularly struggled to get off the line on a number of occasions, most recently at the Japanese Grand Prix, where a slow start dropped him from second to eighth.
The three-time world champion, who took his ninth pole position of the season and his first at the Circuit of the Americas, insists he is feeling optimistic for Sunday, having spent the weekend practicing his starts.
"I've been practicing the starts all weekend so I feel positive about it tomorrow," Hamilton said. "I feel positive, I think we've worked hard in the last couple of weeks, understanding and improving in lots of areas and it's a great feeling to be back here, it's been a while since I sat in this spot."
He added: "I feel amazing. It's my first pole here so it's been many years of trying and a lot of great people trying to help me get that, so I'm very, very happy with today."
After securing his 58th career pole, the Briton played down a radio message during qualifying in which he reported "weird" gear shifting.
When asked if there was a potential issue with his gearbox, Hamilton replied: "No the team said there's no problems. It might have just been the way I was doing it."