Despite a very difficult year where he was unable to defend his championship title, champion Lewis Hamilton says he is now more in love with Formula 1 then he ever was before.

Hamilton says this season’s up and downs allowed him to grow as an individual and as a driver. He also sees his McLaren team differently as a third season, a much more difficult one after the championship title of last year, increased their bond.

Hamilton wrote on his personal website, "I've learnt a lot about effort, dedication, motivation: things that you almost take for granted when you are at the front, but which mean a lot more when you are fighting at the back.

"I've grown as a man, and as a driver - I've faced bigger hurdles this year than in my previous two seasons and I think I now know how to cope with things better than I did – even from one year ago."

He says he will always keep in mind the Melbourne and Malaysia races that were his toughest of the season, when he had to call his employers and tell them a miracle was needed.

The British driver is now looking forward to a new season, one he says he would be ready to get started with... today!