Lewis Hamilton thankful for 'year of growth'

Lewis Hamilton has said that he hopes this season will make him stronger on the track next year.

Despite winning three races this term, a number of incidents on and off the circuit are likely to define the 26-year-old's campaign.

"In future I will look back on this year and smile and say, 'I needed that,'" Hamilton told BBC Sport.

"I've grown up a lot this year and I want to take it into next year.

"I was talking to a friend just recently who is very wise and I said it's been a difficult year, and he said it's not been a difficult year, it's been a year of growth, which I thought was one of the most positive things I've heard."

The Brazilian Grand Prix takes place this weekend in Sao Paolo.