Brazilian GP: Felipe Massa aiming to help Alonso by winning at home

Alonso needs to outscore Red Bull rival Sebastian Vettel by 14 points in Brazil in order to clinch the title, meaning he at least needs a podium finish.

Massa, who won at Interlagos in 2006 and '08, believes the best he can do to help Alonso is to try to focus on winning the race for the third time. The 2008 victory is Massa's last to date.

"Try to win for the third time - that is the right direction to think of," said Massa in a press conference at Interlagos. "Just think of the victory.

"Here is a very special race for me and I am going to try and win and hopefully Fernando can finish second and without any problems win the championship."

Massa endured a difficult first half of the year but raised his game after the summer break and secured a contract extension for 2013.

The Brazilian reckons keeping his momentum going will be important for next season.

"It was a very difficult season compared to others. I was struggling in some races, and in some other races I was not struggling. There was always something happening and in some races I couldn't finish in the right position.

"But after August everything was better. We were able to put together the right results in every race, and I think it was a very good second part of the season and a very good preparation for next year."