A YouTube video offered a fresh insight into the accident which led to Toro Rosso’s Sebastian Vettel running into the back of Mark Webber in his Red Bull when running third and second respectively.

The suggestion was Hamilton had caused the smash by deliberately increasing and decreasing his speed, but the stewards eventually decided there was no case to answer.

On this occasion at Interlagos, it emerged after first practice Hamilton had used two sets of wet-weather tyres, which is in breach of the Formula One Sporting Regulations that state only one is permitted.

Hamilton and a team representative are to discuss the matter with the stewards, and a penalty could be applied.

McLaren have conceded to making a mistake, but it remains to be seen what decision will be taken as the FIA have no set punishment for the offence.

Honda’s Jenson Button and Super Aguri’s Takuma Sato are in the dock for the same infringement, and will also face the stewards.

Hamilton, who will win the title on Sunday if he finishes at least second, can at least take heart from his first outing on this circuit.

Leaden skies and light rain had dominated the first session, but on a drying track in the afternoon, he was quickest with a lap of one minute 12.767secs.

Team-mate and chief title rival Fernando Alonso, who completed only an installation lap in the morning run, was second fastest, just 0.122secs down on the 22-year-old Briton he trails by four points in the standings.

Then came the Ferraris of Felipe Massa and Kimi Raikkonen, who had been quickest in the wet in the initial 90-minute period.

Both drivers were just over 0.3secs behind Hamilton, followed by Giancarlo Fisichella in his Renault, the BMW Sauber of Robert Kubica and the Williams duo of Nico Rosberg and Kazuki Nakajima.

For the 22-year-old Nakajima, it was a fine performance from the Japanese driver on his race debut following the retirement of Alex Wurz after the race in China.