Hamilton made to wait until Sunday

"There is at this moment in time absolutely no medical reason that he can't race," Dennis told reporters after qualifying.

However, the championship leader will have to undergo a final check by the FIA doctors on Sunday morning before being cleared to race.

Dennis said the team were still investigating the problem, and he admitted teammate Fernando Alonso was lucky not to suffer a similar issue.

"The wheel came off cleanly which means that it is unlikely to be what we first thought failed which was the air regulator," added Dennis. "It is more likely to be the gun, which is two thirds disassembled.

"I would more likely to expect it to be the wheel gun rather than the air regulator. We were quite fortunate to be honest because the wheel nut on Fernando's car was not tightened, so he came slowly came back to the pits.

"The most concerning thing was that we couldn't speak to him. It took us 30 to 45 seconds to realise that the radio had failed in the impact. In that period there was of course no dialogue and you don't get the reassurance of the driver saying 'I'm ok'.

"The camera position showed him exercising his legs was quite alarming. We didn't know whether he was doing that as a result of pain or some other problem. It was only once I got to the medical centre that I had any understanding how he was. I would be surprised if he was not able to race."

McLaren are planning to use the same engine that was in the car when it crashed, meaning Hamilton should be able to start the race from 10th place.