Lewis Hamilton has said that he hopes this season will make him stronger on the track next year.
Despite winning three races this term, a number of incidents on and off the circuit are likely to define the 26-year-old's campaign.
"In future I will look back on this year and smile and say, 'I needed that,'" Hamilton told BBC Sport.
"I've grown up a lot this year and I want to take it into next year.
"I was talking to a friend just recently who is very wise and I said it's been a difficult year, and he said it's not been a difficult year, it's been a year of growth, which I thought was one of the most positive things I've heard."
The Brazilian Grand Prix takes place this weekend in Sao Paolo.
