Jenson Button believes his former McLaren team-mate Lewis Hamilton will claim the Drivers’ Championship this season.

Hamilton is the current Championship leader but he is just two points clear of fellow Mercedes driver Nico Rosberg in the standings.

However, the defending champion trailed Rosberg by 43 points at one stage earlier this year but managed to fight back and Button feels Hamilton has a winning mentality that will see him claim a fourth drivers’ crown at the end of the season.

“I personally feel that Lewis – you know, Italy didn’t go his way but I think he’s going to win the world championship,” Button told Sky Sports.

“He’s come from such a long way back, I think everyone forgets how far he was behind Rosberg and he closed that gap over three races.

“For me, Lewis – when the car’s working for him – the results are a lot more consistent.

His qualifying’s impressive, and I think in a race you know he’s in a very strong position.

“Mentally he’s a lot stronger than he used to be, he’s got a really good chance and he probably is going to win a fourth world title.”

Button has confirmed he will take a break from Formula 1 in 2017, with Stoffel Vandoorne set to take his McLaren seat next term, but he could make a return in the 2018 season.

The Singapore GP takes place this weekend and Hamilton is 2.40 to secure maximum points, while Rosberg can be backed at 3.80 and Button is 201.00. Hamilton is 1.25 to win the Drivers’ Championship outright and Rosberg is available at 3.80.