Hamilton says Mercedes 2016 situation "uncomfortable" at times

Hamilton, who finished runner-up in the championship to teammate Nico Rosberg, appeared to be at odds with Mercedes on a few occasions during the season, with the most notable and obvious flashpoint coming in the Abu Dhabi season finale.

There, Hamilton tried to back Rosberg into the pack, against his team's orders, so as to overhaul him in the standings - and the tactic subsequently led Mercedes boss Toto Wolff hinting at possible sanctions against the Brit.

Asked at Friday's FIA Prize Gala whether he felt unfairly treated or uncomfortable with the situation at Mercedes in 2016, Hamilton said: "There have been instances that feel a little bit odd. Definitely been some uncomfortable scenarios.

"But, you know, I expect that – I should expect that. I think that perhaps that comes with the territory when you compete as you do, when you've been out front for some time.

"It is a tricky scenario, I guess, for a team, when they've got two drivers fighting for a championship. But what doesn’t kill you makes only you stronger, from experiences you learn about different characters and about yourself."

Racing "with more heart than ever"

Hamilton suggested that the adversities he faced in 2016 have forced him to "dig deeper" than in previous seasons.

"I think I probably drove with more heart this year than I ever have," he said.

"I was faced with a lot more challenges along the way - whether you start first or fall back to eighth and have to fight back through.

"I had to dig deep, probably deeper than other years when I've started first and disappeared [into the distance]. I would say it has taken a lot more heart and a lot more courage to face challenges and overcome them.

He added: "I don’t look back [at a season] but generally like to take positives – and the negatives are things to learn from, which I have had this year.

"I came out with more wins and more poles than anyone, which is great, an incredibly successful year for the team."

Additional reporting by Jonathan Noble