World championship leader Jenson Button has hailed Michael Schumacher for taking up the challenge of replacing Felipe Massa - but feels the German faces a no-win situation.

Schumacher, 40, retired from Formula One in 2006 and took up a role as an adviser for Ferrari, but he has agreed to return to the track on a temporary basis after Massa fractured his skull in qualifying for the Hungarian grand prix at the weekend.

And although Button says he is delighted to see Schumacher return, he believes his status as an all-time great could raise expectations to uncomfortable levels.

"It will be good to have Michael back out there racing again," he said.

"There are very good people out there racing at the moment but to have Michael there again will be very special, although I'm sure we all wish Felipe was there also.

"It's a strange situation because the reason for Michael being there is because another driver can't take part.

"In a way, Ferrari are very lucky because they've someone working in their team who can jump straight into the car and be competitive - and Michael will be.

"It's an interesting one, though, because, if he wins, people will say they expected him to and, if he doesn't, they will say he should not have come back.

"So it's a tough position for him to be in, although I'm happy he has taken up the challenge. It's very brave of him."