Hamilton believes he is successful because he has "more hunger" than his rivals

Lewis Hamilton has never shied away from showing his self-confidence, but he says that believing he is the best driver on the grid has led to success in recent years.

The Brit has won three of the last four world championships with Mercedes and says: “Every driver or athlete has to believe whole-heartedly that they’re the best. You have to have that attitude.

“Working every day to be fifth, it just doesn’t happen. I’ve had that since I was a kid.

“Why do I think I’m the best? It’s not like it forever, one week you can be and it can change very quickly.

“So it’s all about wanting to elevate yourself, always wanting to push yourself above your limits.

“I’ve had to be like that since I was a kid. I had to push myself so far to be better than the kid that had everything and had it easier.

“I still carry the hunger I had as a kid and I truly believe the people I’m racing against don’t have that.”