A triumphant Lewis Hamilton celebrated his sixth Formula One world championship with family and friends in New York – after admitting he clinched his latest title while "battling demons."

In the hours following his remarkable success in Austin – one that moved Hamilton to within striking range of Michael Schumacher's all-time record – the British driver, and his entourage, boarded a plane to take the party on a 1,700-mile three-hour flight from Texas to the Big Apple.

The celebrations, following Hamilton's fifth championship success in six brilliant seasons, are understood to have gone on into the early hours.

"We also lost a young kid in Spa. When something like that happens, it can put a lot of doubt in your mind and you have to bat that off. You think, 'Jeez, is it time to stop or shall I keep going?'

"There's lots of life after F1 and I want to spend time with my family. I still want to have a family one day. But I love doing what I do so much that I don't think there's a lot that can particularly stop me."

Ferrari driver and four-time world champion Sebastian Vettel greeted Hamilton in the cool-down room before the podium celebrations in Austin.

"If somebody wins the title six times he deserves all of it," said the German in tribute to his rival. "That's what I told him.

"You need to respect what he achieved the last years, this year, and how strong he has been."