Hamilton won his fourth world drivers’ championship after seeing off the challenge from Ferrari’s Sebastian Vettel.
Mercedes are expected to still have the fastest car on the grid in 2018, with Hamilton favourite to make it five and put him within reach of Michael Schumacher’s record of seven.
Hamilton is in contract talks with Mercedes about a new deal but the Brit was hesitant to say whether he will be in the sport long enough to emulate Schumacher.
“I’m not thinking about that. I can’t envisage me being around for seven but I also can’t say never,” he told CNN.
“You’ve just got to enjoy the ones you have … I can’t believe that I’ve got four.
“Of course I want to win more but if I don’t win another championship would that be the end of my life? No. I’m gonna do other great things.”
Hamilton is widely regarded as the fastest driver in Formula One by critics but the respect he’s earned from his fellow drivers is what he appreciates most.
“The respect I have received from certain drivers is something I really, really appreciate because naturally you want to be respected by your peers because I have that respect for other people that I race with,” he said.
“To hear that reflected and reciprocated, that’s a great feeling.”
After losing out to Nico Rosberg in the title race in 2016, Hamilton bounced back impressively.
And the 32-year-old says his fightback is down to a greater work ethic.
He added: “I think I came to the team with a good energy but my work ethic is so much better today — so I would have applied that at the beginning.
“I probably would have five championships right now, but I wouldn’t change it for the world. Losing the championship last year enabled me to be the driver and the man I am today.”