Lewis Hamilton has described 2017 as the hardest of his Formula 1 world drivers’ championships to win, despite clinching it with two races to go.
Hamilton took the championship in Mexico after finishing ninth, with title-rival Sebastian Vettel unable to get within 50 points of the Brit.
It is the first year that the pair has gone head-to-head for the championship and the first inter-team battle since 2013.
After the introduction of the hybrid engine, Hamilton’s only rival was former Mercedes team-mate Nico Rosberg, but a resurgence for Ferrari has opened up the competition in 2017.
“I definitely think this has been [the hardest],” Hamilton explained.
“2008 was tough, 2007 [when he narrowly missed out] was difficult. 2008 was very tough. The following years have just been different,” said Hamilton.
“This year, being in a position to really lead the team and help drive, motivate and direct the car exactly where I want it to go in its development, alongside a great team-mate and fighting against a great team in Ferrari with the highest decorated, or was the highest decorated driver in the sport – we are now both – was a massive challenge I was looking forward to.
“It’s great to have two teams fighting. You could see through practice, us all within a tenth, the top six or whatever.
“I think that’s great. We need more of that. It pushes us all more to the limit, it pushes the cars more to the limit and that’s ultimately what has got us excited for the sport.”
