Lewis Hamilton hopes Abu Dhabi Grand Prix win is a new start

Lewis Hamilton is hopeful his win in the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix is the start of his return to the top following a difficult season

The Briton had not won a race since July and had dropped to fifth place in the standings after a troubled couple of months.

On Sunday, however, the McLaren driver dominated the race from start to finish once Sebastian Vettel retired on the opening lap.

It was Hamilton's third win of the season, and he is now aiming to keep his momentum going into the season finale in Brazil.

"I don't know," he said when asked if he was back on the right track. "It is early days yet but this is definitely a start.

"We have another great race ahead of us in Brazil, so we will focus on that and try to keep the momentum. You know how it goes, anything can happen. I have to keep my focus on it."

Hamilton admitted he felt in control of the race despite Fernando Alonso pushing him at the start of each stint.

"I think it's very rare for us and me to get the opportunity to maintain a gap and control a race," he said. "But today I had the pace and was able to put in the laps when Fernande went quicker. And then I was able to pull out when he came in.

"There was a stage where he would close the gap. It seemed as if he would start the stint slower than me but get quicker at the end, but I am very, very happy with how it went."

And the McLaren driver labelled the Abu Dhabi win as one of his best yet.

"I think it was one of my best races," he said. "I said that as I slowed down: being able to hold off one of the best drivers in the world is tough to do. Looking after the tyres, managing the gap... I am ecstatic, really very happy to be back up here. This is great and I can get on the flight tonight and smile."