Hamilton: no regrets about the season

The 22-year-old looked set to become the first rookie Formula One champion but failed to make good in the last couple of races due to his and McLaren's errors as well as a technical failure in the final round.

He ended up runner up to Ferrari's Kimi Raikkonen, and tied on points with two-time world champion and his McLaren teammate Fernando Alonso.

But despite the loss, Hamilton stressed he does not have any qualms about the season and vowed to be even stronger next year.

"No regrets," the Briton said on Monday. "I never live life with any regrets, I think that's definitely the wrong approach.

"I think it's been a phenomenal year and I'm very, very privileged to have the opportunity, so I'm glad that I'm going to have another opportunity next year, and I'll work even harder.

"Twelve months ago I was wondering whether I'll even be a Formula One driver, and whether I would be able to make it, whether I would be able to do a good job.

"And obviously it's been such an extremely quick roller coaster and all of a sudden I'm here, at the end of my first season, No. 2 in the world. So it's been a great year.

"It's been a very weird experience," Hamilton added. "It's just a bit of a daze - you don't really know what's going on, you just take it as it comes. And, you know, I thoroughly enjoyed it. At the end of the day I get to go and drive and live my dream, so this is great."

Asked if he can clinch the title in 2008, Hamilton replied: "I believe I can, obviously, otherwise there's no point going into 2008.

"I think we're going to have a great car; we're pushing very, very hard. I'm going to be more experienced, I'm going to be pushing harder, making sure I'm fitter and even more determined than this year."

Hamilton, who earlier in the day revealed he will be leaving England to live in Switzerland, made his first public appearance since the Brazilian Grand Prix, as he visited the Great Ormond Street children's hospital in London.

Hamilton launched a new 'Charity of the Year' partnership between McLaren sponsor Abbey and the famous children's hospital, which will see the 16,000 staff members of Abbey across the UK raising money throughout 2008 to help fund research into the causes of childhood cancer.

Hamilton visited cancer patients in the oncology ward, spending the day with the children, playing video games with them and holding a race in McLaren toy cars.

"Abbey and Great Ormond Street Hospital Children's Charity have forged a strong relationship, which I am really pleased to be supporting," Hamilton said. "I'm looking forward to helping them raise much needed funds.

"Being able to meet some of the children who are being treated at Great Ormond Street Hospital is a very special experience.

"It is a privilege to be able to bring a small piece of the F1 excitement into the wards, to see the smiles it generates and to have fun with the kids and their families.

"I've met a couple of my biggest fans here, so I'm very happy," he added.