As the media gather like vultures for the latest twist in what has been a difficult season, Lewis Hamilton asks for time and a little understanding.

While there have been the clashes and crashes, not to mention the numerous visits to the stewards, Hamilton's season hasn't been quite as disastrous as some would have you believe, after all, with four races remaining he is still in with a shout at runner-up spot. However, by his own lofty standards it has been a difficult year.

"It will take a lot to recover from the difficulties that I've had this year," the youngster told reporters in Korea. "I'm my own biggest critic and very hard on myself but I have huge belief in my abilities," he added.

Asked why he felt it has been such a difficult season, the McLaren driver replied: "It's about driving, it's about where you are in your head, it's about a combination of things.

"I've just not been doing the job," he admitted. "In Spa, I got caught out and should have finished on the podium and I didn't. In Hungary, I was leading and spun and I could have won the race. It is just human errors and you can't do too much other than learn from those things.

"I still keep pushing regardless of how many blows I take," he continued. "I try and stand up by not giving up, no matter how tough it gets in racing. You just keep going and some day I will be successful.

"In the last race Jenson proved that we can win. The car is quick enough to win so my mindset right now is to get myself in that position by making sure we are out on track at the right time and getting my second run in qualifying in this weekend. That's a lot of stuff to put in the mix but I think we can do it.

"Coming here knowing that we can be competitive and that there's another chance for me to get back up there, I feel quite chilled," he said, a smile slowly spreading across his face. "I've got another race ahead of me so I'm excited and I'm trying to prepare myself in every possible way."