Lewis Hamilton hails 'best season of my life' after collecting F1 World Championship trophy

After collecting his F1 drivers' title in Paris, Lewis Hamilton discussed the bigger challenge he expects to face next year.

Lewis Hamilton won his sixth world title, comprehensively beating Valtteri Bottas by 87 points.

Lewis Hamilton described 2019 as the "best season of my life" after he officially collected the Formula One World Championship trophy at the FIA's awards gala in Paris.

The Mercedes driver finished ahead of team-mate Valtteri Bottas and Red Bull star Max Verstappen to win the drivers' title for a sixth time, putting him one behind Michael Schumacher.

He ended the campaign with a magnificent 11th victory in Abu Dhabi, a triumph that matched his personal best tally for wins in a season and ensured he comprehensively beat Bottas by 87 points.

After receiving his trophy, Hamilton told the watching audience he did not think he had enjoyed a better season in his F1 career.

"For me this has definitely been the best season of my life," Hamilton said.

"I've enjoyed collaborating with this incredible team. Not everyone realises it is almost 2,000 people in our team. Fighting hard with Valtteri and a lot of these up and coming young drivers this year has been fantastic.

"To come into a sixth year, to have fought for a world title at the front and sustained the performance we have collectively I think has been amazing. On the driver front, I’m definitely very happy with my performance this year. 

"There's been lots of great races, the last few years have been intense with Ferrari, but having another team [Red Bull] up there in the loop has made it more challenging for us all."

Hamilton expects a closer battle in 2020 with Verstappen, who won the award for Action of the Year for his battle with Charles Leclerc at Silverstone.

"I'm just looking forward to this winter - next year is going to be close," added Hamilton, who has been linked with a move to Ferrari in 2021 with his Mercedes contract having one year left to run.

"The Red Bulls with Max are going to be fantastic. The Ferraris have picked up their pace and have been extraordinary in the second half of the season. I'm hoping you're going to see the closest season yet. I'll be best prepared and hope for the best season there's been."

Verstappen's team-mate Alex Albon won the Rookie of the Year award, while Mercedes collected its sixth consecutive constructors' title.

Former Mercedes executive and three-time world champion Niki Lauda, who died in May, was honoured with the Personality of the Year award.