Lewis Hamilton sent out a warning to his F1 rivals today by boasting he will be better than ever next year.
The Mercedes driver romped home to his third world title last season as he blew away Nico Rosberg in a dominant campaign.
Rosberg won the final three races of the season, but Hamilton told AUTOSPORT that he will improve even more next year.
"I don't think you are ever performing at peak level all the time. You have dips," he said.
"I was at a peak for a long time during the year, and then I had three so-so races at the end. "I still drove pretty well and didn't make any mistakes.
"But in not being at 100 per cent, the good thing is there are improvements that can be made for next year.”
Hamilton also warned his rivals that Mercedes expect to be the dominant team once again next season, although Ferrari are closing fast.
He is working hard this winter and aims to hit the ground running in Melbourne.
"I'd like to think that each year you grow, not only as a human being, but as a sportsman,” he said.
"I'm hoping the way I apply myself this winter will be on the back of having learned from last winter.
"The struggles I've had physically and mentally, hopefully I can rectify those. I'm hoping I should be stronger [in 2016].
"I'm still relatively young, so at the moment I only see a mountain which I'm willing to climb.
"I don't feel I'm seeing the downside of it, so that's what keeps me going."
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Lewis Hamilton sent out a warning to his F1 rivals today by boasting he will be better than ever next year.
The Mercedes driver romped home to his third world title last season as he blew away Nico Rosberg in a dominant campaign.
Rosberg won the final three races of the season, but Hamilton told AUTOSPORT that he will improve even more next year.
"I don't think you are ever performing at peak level all the time. You have dips," he said.
"I was at a peak for a long time during the year, and then I had three so-so races at the end. "I still drove pretty well and didn't make any mistakes.
"But in not being at 100 per cent, the good thing is there are improvements that can be made for next year.”
Hamilton also warned his rivals that Mercedes expect to be the dominant team once again next season, although Ferrari are closing fast.
He is working hard this winter and aims to hit the ground running in Melbourne.
"I'd like to think that each year you grow, not only as a human being, but as a sportsman,” he said.
"I'm hoping the way I apply myself this winter will be on the back of having learned from last winter.
"The struggles I've had physically and mentally, hopefully I can rectify those. I'm hoping I should be stronger [in 2016].
"I'm still relatively young, so at the moment I only see a mountain which I'm willing to climb.
"I don't feel I'm seeing the downside of it, so that's what keeps me going."
Related topics