Hamilton now has three F1 titles to his name after clinching victory in 2014 and '15 with Mercedes, winning 21 of the 38 grands prix in that time. He believes he and Mercedes can remain at the top in 2016.

"There is at least another year of this strength we have," said Hamilton. "Of course there is a slight unknown because the car can shift. It could dip. But we have a much, much stronger foundation in this team and that is not going to be the case. I'm so confident that is not going to be the case."

Hamilton also believes there is more to come from himself in 2016.

"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 percent, the good thing is there are improvements that can be made for next year.

"I'd like to think that each year you grow, not only as a human being, but as a sportsman. 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."