I know I can drive better: Hamilton

2018 Formula One world champion Lewis Hamilton insists he can still drive better, despite having recently secured his fifth driver's title.

Speaking to Xinhua on the eve of this weekend's Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, the Briton dispelled any notions that his motivation might be lacking after having won F1 world titles in 2014, 2015, 2017 and 2018 in addition to his first championship win in 2008.

"I've never lacked motivation," said Hamilton. "That's just in my DNA. I just focus on the next target, and currently the next target is winning on Sunday. After that, it's being fitter and stronger in all areas next year. I know I can drive better."

Hamilton's fifth title win sees him move up to second on the all-time list alongside legendary Argentinian Juan Manuel Fangio, with only seven-time world champion Michael Schumacher ahead of him.

With 72 race wins, the Briton is also within striking distance of Schumacher's tally of 91, though he denied that he was specifically trying to overhaul the German's records.

"That's not my goal. My goal every year is just to elevate in all areas. If I'm here long enough, that potentially could be possible, [but] that's not a target. I currently don't feel anything about that," he said.

Hamilton's Mercedes AMG Petronas team has been the team to beat in F1 since 2014, having taken a clean sweep of all five drivers' and constructors' championships since then.

Over the past two seasons, however, the German outfit has been pushed all the way by Ferrari's driver pairing of Sebastian Vettel and Räikkönen, a state of affairs that Hamilton feels has made title glory in 2017 and 2018 all the more satisfying.

"They've definitely been the most special [years]. This has been our strongest year but it's also been our most challenging year. We want to race against the best. It's been awesome when they've been quicker than us and yet we've beaten them, and I've managed to out-drive the other driver. It's an amazing feeling to be able to do that."

Having been racing for over 20 years, Hamilton has driven on many of the world's top circuits, and when pressed for his favorites, the Briton revealed that a street track in China has a special place in his heart.

"I used to love racing in Macao. The track there is awesome, and it's mentally challenging," said the 33-year-old, before listing a few more of his favorite circuits. "Monaco is one of the best tracks on a single lap, it's awesome, but it's a terrible racing track because you can't race. Silverstone is an amazing track because you can race, but it's also amazing over a single lap."

"Then you've got the Nurburgring Nordschleife. I don't know how it is to race there, but it's so long, it's incredibly challenging."