McLaren pilot stays positive after 'difficult' season
Last Updated: November 24, 2011 8:29pm
Hamilton: Will be sporting a special helmet design for the Brazilian Grand Prix
Lewis Hamilton is determined to take positives out of a Formula 1 campaign that he admits has been 'difficult'.
The McLaren driver, who won three grands prix this year, said he had undergone a period of growth during the season and was looking forward to putting the lessons learned into practice in 2012.
Speaking ahead of this weekend's season-ending Brazilian Grand Prix, Hamilton said: "It really has been a year where I've just grown, I've learned a lot from it and I can take it to next year.
"So I feel positive about it and in the future I'll look back on this season and smile and say 'I needed that'.
"I feel I'm now absolutely prepared for the championship challenge next season, and for me the preparation for it starts from here.
"Next year is going to be an interesting one I think."
Stronger
Despite the negativity that swirled around him for some time, Hamilton pointed out that, with only Sebastian Vettel winning more races than him, the year has not been all that bad.
"If I hadn't won a grand prix then it could have been a lot worse," said Hamilton.
"There is only one driver who has won more races this year than us and that's Sebastian, so it's not too bad, but it could always be better.
"Looking back, whilst it's not been one where I've won many grands prix or a championship, it's been a year where I've learned quite a bit.
"I think I will come out of it stronger as both a driver and human being. I can't say I'm there yet, but when I get into the winter and I reflect on the whole season, then yeah.
"Plus I turn 27 (in January), so I will perhaps be a lot wiser than when I began this season, so that's always a positive."
Hamilton will be sporting a special helmet design this weekend as a tribute to his late hero, three-time champion Ayrton Senna, with the colours closely resembling those the Brazilian wore.
The helmet is to be auctioned off after the race, with the proceeds going to the Senna Foundation, which helps the street children in Brazil.
Credit: Sky Sports (www.skysports.com)
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