McLaren driver Lewis Hamilton has said that he now feels he has a lot of "positive energy" following his win in Abu Dhabi, and believes that his difficult 2011 season will prove to make him a stronger driver in the long run.
Hamilton heads to the Brazilian Grand Prix this weekend aiming to take his fourth race win of the season, after turning around his recent poor form with a win at the Yas Marina track.After a series of on-track incidents, Hamilton is assured to end the season behind his team mate in the standings for the first time ever.
But on the eve of the season finale in Brazil, Hamilton told reporters that he believes his troubles in 2011 will have helped him grow as a driver.
"I was talking to a friend recently saying its been a difficult year, and he said it's been a year of growth which was one of the most positive things I have learned this year," Hamilton told reporters on Thursday.
"It really has been. What I've learned this year I'll take into next so I feel positive about it. I think in the future I'll look back on this season, smile and say 'I needed that'."
He added: "I haven't really thought about the last victory [in Abu Dhabi]: afterwards I was just back in the simulator and thinking about this race.
"But I have had a really good few positive days since then which have meant more to me than the race win, so I have got a lot of positive energy at the moment."
He also attempted to build up his achievements from the season as a whole, pointing out that his record in races in 2011 wasn't especially bad.
"There is only one driver who has won more [races], Sebastian, so it could be worse - but it could also always be better," he mused.
"If I look back on this year whilst it's not been a year I have won the most grands prix and the championship, but a year where I have learned quite a bit.
"I think I will come out stronger: I can't say I am there yet, but when I get to the winter and reflect on the whole season I will. I'm definitely a lot wiser than when I started the season and that's always a positive."
Meanwhile, his team mate Jenson Button was also bigging up his season's achievements in the Thursday press conference in Brazil, saying that he was happy with his performances.
Asked if he was gunning to secure the runner-up spot in the championship this weekend, he mused: "It is not so important, I suppose.
"But I think it is nice to know over a season that you can finish in front of some very good drivers and to finish in front of a Red Bull would be great considering Seb [Vettel] won the title in a Red Bull and Fernando was strong in a Ferrari."
He went on: "If I get a chance to beat them of course I will be happy - but we would rather come away with a victory than finishing second in the championship. It's still nice if you come away with second.
"I am pretty happy with what I achieved. We haven't been quite good enough to win the championship but we have had a pretty strong year."
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