Massa aiming for third home win to back Alonso

SAO PAULO (AFP) –

Felipe Massa, pictured here on November 16 during a practice session in Austin, Texas, is aiming to secure his third emotional triumph on home soil in Sunday’s Brazilian Grand Prix to help Ferrari team-mate Fernando Alonso win the drivers’ title for a third time.

Felipe Massa is aiming to secure his third emotional triumph on home soil in Sunday’s Brazilian Grand Prix to help Ferrari team-mate Fernando Alonso win the drivers’ title for a third time.

The local hero, who won at Interlagos in both 2006 and 2008, has set his sights on winning to round off a season of recovery with a memorable victory.

Spaniard Alonso needs to outscore Red Bull rival and defending champion German Sebastian Vettel by 14 points to clinch the title — a goal that requires him to deliver at least a podium finish in Sunday’s race.

Speaking at the circuit on Thursday, on the eve of opening free practice, Massa said: “Try to win for the third time – that is the right direction to think of… 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 to secure a one-year contract extension for 2013.

He added: “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 for me and a very good preparation for next year.”