Newly-crowned world champion Lewis Hamilton has insisted that he prefers to battle for the title and enjoys the pressure.

The Briton won his second Formula 1 drivers' championship after winning last month's Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

However, despite competing with teammate Nico Rosberg until the final race of the season for the crown, Hamilton is adamant that he enjoys a battle until the end.

He told reporters: "I don't think you ever want to have it easy. You always want to have a fight. Easy championships, I don't know, they're just not as... you want that climax.

"Obviously in the last race it was a climax going into the last race, obviously Nico's car had an issue, so then from halfway through the race the pressure was different to having to defend in the race.

"But still, throughout the whole year, just trying to keep your cool, stay focused and all those kinds of things. It was great. I'm just grateful for the opportunity to have had the championships I've had."

Hamilton finished 67 points ahead of Rosberg in the 2014 standings.