McLaren chief Martin Whitmarsh has leapt to the defence of driver Lewis Hamilton ahead of the new season.

There is still over a month before the 2012 world championship begins in Melbourne but McLaren are keen to defend their driver after a tumultuous campaign last year.

"Lewis won three grands prix in 2011, one of only three drivers to have won more than a single race," said Whitmarsh.

"The other two were Sebastian [Vettel] and Jenson [Button]. Again, just as most teams have never and will never win six grands prix in a single season, as McLaren did last year, it's equally true to say most drivers have never and will never win three grands prix in a single season, as Lewis did last year.

"Indeed, some of the most compelling highlights of last season's on-track action, from the point of view of a racer's sheer talent shining through, were provided by Lewis. In China, Germany and Abu Dhabi, and in many other places besides, he was awesomely impressive."

Hamilton was often criticised last year for some robust driving that led to numerous incidents, most notably with Ferrari's Felipe Massa who he seemed to contact with regularly.

"We wouldn't want Lewis any other way," added Whitmarsh. "He's a truly brilliant racing driver - one of the fastest we've ever seen. And that's why, throughout last year, we were always keen to reassure him we were backing him 100%."

McLaren are set to unveil their new car for 2012 on Wednesday.