Hamilton: I'm hoping I should be stronger in 2016

Triple F1 world champion Lewis Hamilton has tipped another year of strong form from himself and the Mercedes team as the 2016 season begins to loom..

While Ferrari made progress in 2015 and is now targeting a full championship tilt this year, reigning world champion Hamilton thinks the Silver Arrows camp can stay on top, and is targeting an even stronger performance from himself.

Mercedes and Hamilton dominated in 2014 and 2015 and "there is at least another year of this strength we have", the 30-year-old is quoted by The Sun.

"Of course there is a slight unknown because the car can shift," Hamilton added. "It could dip but we have a much, much stronger foundation in this team and that is not going to be the case."

What did dip at the end of last season, however, was Hamilton's personal form, with teammate Nico Rosberg winning the last three grands prix from pole.

But many believe Hamilton simply eased off the throttle once he had had wrapped up the title in Austin, "I was at a peak for a long time during the year," he said, "and then I had three so-so races at the end."

"I still drove pretty well and didn't make any mistakes. I don't think you are ever performing at peak level all the time. You have dips," explained the Briton.

"But in not being at 100 per cent, 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."

"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," added Hamilton.