McLaren Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton says that he is looking to start the 2012 Formula One season with renewed levels of energy in his career, after licking his wounds over the winter following his disappointing 2011 campaign.
Hamilton will return to the driving seat of a Formula One car for the first time since the conclusion of last season at the Jerez pre-season test next week.
The 2008 champion had a disappointing 2011 season, attracting criticism for a string of on-track clashes, and finishing down in fifth place in the drivers championship.
Hamilton blamed a series of personal issues for his poor form, which saw him become embroiled in a prolonged spat with Ferrari driver Felipe Massa.
But after relaxing over the winter months, Hamilton now says that the time away from the sport has allowed him to get his energy back for 2012.
"I did lots of training, I didn't miss much, and I was not missing the car too much," he said regarding his winter holidays while speaking at McLaren's new car launch on Wednesday.
"It was nice to be away from it for a while, just to get the energy back, refresh. Starting anew and getting back into training was fantastic."
He added: "Last year I was training too much and this year I balanced it a bit better. Spending time with family and friends is how you get your energy."
Hamilton also insisted that he was not worried that the team may have designed the car around team mate Jenson Button, despite his fellow Brit beating him in the championship last year.
"You sometimes have drivers who demand different things. Jenson and I have similar set-ups so we demand the same thing," he shrugged.
"I don't feel [the car] will benefit him more than me - and I think he feels the same. We generally agree with what we need to do."
Button himself said that he should be able to tell the potential of the new car straight away, when he takes to the track for the first two days of the Jerez test next week.
He admitted that the team's 2011 car had struck him as not being a title contender immediately.
"I personally didn't feel we were going to win races last year after the first test," he shrugged regarding the disappointing MP4-26.
"Normally you get a good feeling from the first test and build on that feeling for the first race. It is tricky, especially when you have new regulations. It's difficult to know where you stand.
"I'm hoping we are in a good position when we wheel the car out in Jerez."
But he warned that the team would need to be at the top of their game to take the fight to reigning champions Red Bull Racing in 2012.
"Red Bull will be strong," he muttered, "You don't suddenly build a bad car after wining the championship for two years.
"We hope they do - but I would be surprised if they do...the important thing is stay focused on what we do, look at the next few weeks and see where we stand then."
Button will drive the MP4-27 for the first two days of the Jerez test next week, with Hamilton taking over for the final two days.
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