Hamilton says he feels less pressure now

The Briton became the youngest driver in history to win the F1 championship when he beat Felipe Massa by just one point following a dramatic season-closing Brazilian Grand Prix.

And although his level of success has heaped expectations onto the shoulders of the McLaren driver, Hamilton himself believes he is now better able to cope with situations than he was in the past.

"I feel less pressure," he told ITV during a Formula One season review programme. "I don't feel the pressure comes from my surroundings, it comes from within and putting that pressure on yourself to succeed is what either makes you or breaks you.

"I still have that pressure on me, but I know I can control it and I can use it to my advantage now."

Rather than suffering from a need to maintain his impressive form, Hamilton believes he can actually build on what he has achieved so far in his F1 career.

"I've won the championship in my second year, but there is a lot more to come," he added. "I can do better, I can be fitter, I can be sharper, I can make less mistakes.

"I've analysed everything that's happened this season, the positives and the negatives, and I've turned some of the negatives into positives. I'm enjoying the present and I really look forward to the future."

Hamilton also said he was looking forward to the challenge of slick tyres in 2009, as he eyes McLaren changing the philosophy of their car design so their MP4-24 is kinder on its tyres that its predecessor.

"I think with the slick tyres we've got to make sure our new car isn't so hard on the tyres and I think we're in a good position to sort that out," he said. "And also being on slick tyres, I've experienced that in GP2 so I won't be lost. I think that's a good place to start from."