Red Bull Racing team principal Christian Horner revisited the issue this week when he stated a third title triumph for Alonso “would be frustrating because we’ve obviously worked under the auspices that team orders have been illegal”.

With Alonso standing on the brink of another drivers’ title, leading the standings by 11 points from Red Bull’s Mark Webber, it is evident rancour still exists in certain quarters.

The question is, however, in front of a passionate Brazilian crowd, will Alonso expect Massa to repeat what he did at Hockenheim?

It is a situation that could easily arise, with Massa qualifying on pole for the last three grands prix at Interlagos.

“Felipe is normally very strong here,” said Alonso, when asked if he expected Massa to be his willing accomplice.

“I think the best thing for us, for me in the championship, for the numbers, is to have Felipe winning the race because he takes 25 points from everybody else.

“This year, from first to second, there is the biggest difference in points - seven, but from second to third, third to fourth, there are very small differences which may allow me to keep the advantage I have.

“So the worry for me is the 25 points, if one of the other drivers takes those points.

“Hopefully Felipe can win both races (Brazil and Abu Dhabi). It will be the best thing for me.”

In terms of attempting to win over a passionate public almost certain to jeer the Spaniard this weekend, it was a master stroke in damage limitation from Alonso.

As for Massa, there is a natural desire to win in front of his own fans to prove he is still worthy of their support, but it is clear he also knows his place.

Asked if he would cede to Alonso on Sunday should the possibility arise, Massa replied: “I did it already, in 2007.”

He allowed then team-mate Kimi Raikkonen to claim victory here three years ago, and in so doing the Finn clinched the title by a point from Lewis Hamilton and Alonso.

Massa insists he remains “a professional driver,” believing also in the eyes of the fans he is not the villain in this piece.

“I expect me to win the race, and I will do the best I can to win it for them, the people,” added the Sao Paulo native.

“It’s true that even after the race in Germany, when I arrived in Brazil, people were very nice with me, were fantastic, pushing me forward.

“The real people, they are great. It’s the journalists who are much more difficult.”

Massa, though, appreciates his role this weekend, aware he is in a position to take points away from Webber, Hamilton and Sebastian Vettel who are 11, 21 and 25 points adrift respectively.

“When you have a driver taking points away from the others in the championship, it is always important,” assessed Massa.

“So I see myself there, thinking about starting and finishing in the best possible position.”

Although Webber is clearly Alonso’s greatest concern, the Spanish double world champion is far from ruling Hamilton out of the equation.

“It depends how the races develop,” said Alonso.

“He still has a chance, no doubt, Vettel as well. Jenson (Button) is different because he needs four others not to score points.

“But for Lewis, it’s very simple. If he wins this race, and with a retirement from me or from Webber, he is leading the championship.

“Anything can happen. They will be very exciting races. It’s like starting from zero, and whoever from the three or four contenders does a better job in these last two races will become champion.”