McLAREN team principal Martin Whitmarsh believes Lewis Hamilton’s much-needed win in Abu Dhabi has now set the scene for one final internal showdown in Brazil.

After Sebastian Vettel’s lap one retirement with suspension damage sustained following a bizarre puncture just two corners into the race, Hamilton conjured what he felt was one of his best drives.

With Hamilton and team-mate Jenson Button tied on three wins apiece, Whitmarsh is expecting a battle royal at Interlagos.

He said: “We’ll remember that win for the Lewis we know and love, and I think he really enjoyed it.

“I think it was an important one for him. He was strong all weekend after coming into it in a good frame of mind, focused.

“It was for Lewis to reset where he is, and where he is at in his head.

“It means both drivers have three great wins apiece this year, and I’m sure both of them think they can make it four by the end of the season.

“I know them both well enough that they will want to be the driver who comes out of the year with four wins.

“They’ll both fancy their chances of winning in Brazil.”