BUTTON TOLD: GO FOR GLORY; Jenson warned against too much caution.

Byline: IAN PARKES

McLAREN boss Martin Whitmarsh has warned Jenson Button not to be too cautious in his bid to clinch the Formula One world title.

Two years ago McLaren were overaggressive and Lewis Hamilton missed out by a point,while last year theywere too defensive.

It culminated in the 24-year-old dramatically taking the crownwith amove on Timo Glock in the final corner of the last lap.

With Button 14 points up on Brawn GP team-mate Rubens Barrichello and 16 ahead of Red Bull's Sebastian Vettel ahead of today's Brazilian Grand Prix, he can afford to tread carefully.

But as Whitmarsh concedes, there is clearly a fine line that needs to be walked.

Mistakes "In 2007 the team made some mistakes when we went flat out when we didn't need to," saidWhitmarsh.

"Lewis was new at that time and we should have guided him better.

"So after what happened then I think there was an enormous amount of pressure on Lewis last year, probably a little bit more so than even for Jenson now.

"Here last yearwe took a relatively defensive strategy, and it turned into a very difficult race for all of us.

"Jenson doesn't have to go all out and win, but if you get too defensive then it could hamper your natural flair and flow.

"I think the right thing is not to be too defensive. If he does the job normally, with the car he has and with the points advantage he has, he ought to win the championship, and to win it here.

"But anything can happen, and we'll see. Undeniably there is a lot of pressure on him, but he shouldn't be too cautious."

It will be Felipe Massa waving the chequered flag at Interlagos as he steps back into the spotlight for the first time since his horrific accident in Hungary at the end of July.

It is not the ideal scenario for Massa as, naturally, he would love to be on track in front of his home crowd racing his Ferrari.

But with time on his side to ensure he makes a complete recovery ahead of a return next season, he is at least in a position to take the acclaim of his thousands of fans.

Given the responsibility bestowed upon him, he is hoping fellow Brazilian Barrichello can take the flag and the title fight to the final race in Abu Dhabi on November 1. "I hope Rubens can have a chance of fighting for the title, so if I give the chequered flag to Rubens as the winner then I will be very happy," remarked Massa on his return to the F1 paddock.

"It would be very good for Brazil, but it is Jenson who has the best chance of winning the title.

"In Rubens' case it is very difficult, but as I've said to him, he doesn't need to think about anything other than winning the race."

Hamilton was one of the many wellwishers at Interlagos, the scene of their epic title fight last year, giving the 28-year-old a firmhandshake and hug.

Although Massa was behind the wheel of a 2007-spec Ferrari at the team's test track in Fiorano on Monday, his comeback will be next year rather than in Abu Dhabi on November 1.

But Hamilton, for one, is relishing the opportunity of going head-to-head with the Brazilian again as he said: "I'd like to say 'welcome back' to Felipe.

"It's great to see him. I haven't seen him since he disappeared on us. The sport has missed him, and I've missed my battles with him.

"So I'm verymuch looking forward to next year, seeing him back on the grid and having some great fights again."

Whitmarsh echoed Hamilton's sentiments as he said:"Youonlyhave to spend 30 seconds in his presence to know he is going to be competitive next year.

"What a tough little guy. He looks in good shape even now, and that is fantastic for Formula One.

"He drove a fantastic race here last year and put up a real fight with Lewis, and it's fantastic he is back, so I'm sure it's going to be an exciting year next year."

You could sense a degree of unhappiness within Massa, though, that hewas on the Ferrari pitwall watching practice for his home race, rather than being behind the wheel.

Far from relishing his role as a spectator he said: "I want to be in the car, especially here in Brazil. It would have been fantastic to come back for this race.

"But unfortunately we have to wait a bit more, to prepare for next year to be in great shape."

Massa has made an astonishing recovery, not only from the initial surgery, but from a second operation only three weeks ago when he had a titanium plate inserted in his skull.

"I'm quite happy things have gone well, and the recovery has been great," he said. "I can say I'm the same as Iwas before.

"I can do everything like I was doing before.The only issue is that everything needs to be 100 per cent ready because our sport is a risk sport."

CAPTION(S):

ON TRACK: Button puts his Brawn GP car through its paces EYE ON THE PRIZE: World Champion in waiting Jenson Button focuses during practice in Brazil