It is the first time since 1986 a championship showdown has gone down to the wire and involved three drivers, and on that occasion it was Nigel Mansell who missed out on glory.

Twenty-one years on, and this season's duel has been overshadowed by Alonso's insinuation he is not receiving the same treatment as Hamilton following a bitter fall-out with the team.

That has led to FIA president Max Mosley appointing the 'fair-play police' as an official from the sport's world governing body will oversee all that unfolds in the McLaren garage over the weekend.

It smacks of hypocrisy that Alonso should desire the team be even-handed when only two months ago he demanded number one status over Hamilton otherwise he would reveal all he knew in relation to the spy case.

But Alonso believes the recent plea from Carlos Gracia, the head of the Spanish motorsport federation, to Mosley on his behalf will ensure McLaren are impartial this weekend.

"I am sure we are going to Brazil with full equality across the team and two cars capable of fighting for victory in the race and the championship," said Alonso.

"Although I am now only four points away from Lewis, I still need for there to be a lot of circumstances in my favour for me to win the drivers' title that are out of my control.

"But for sure I will be doing everything that is under my control to make it happen. I have to do my bit and then hope everything else falls into place."

Alonso won his 2005 and 2006 world titles at Interlagos, and he concedes the track "has a lot of great memories".