Massa: Don't rule me out of F1 title yet

LONDON, England (CNN) -- An upbeat Felipe Massa is not prepared to throw in the towel on his Formula One title bid despite going to his home race as a clear underdog.

After a little help from Ferrari team-mate Kimi Raikkonen, Massa finished second at the Chinese Grand Prix to trail race winner Lewis Hamilton by seven points ahead of the season-closer in Brazil on November 2.

But Massa has finished first and second at the last two races at Interlagos and he remains confident of causing an upset.

"I'm very optimistic, for sure, and we need to be -- everybody in the team," said the buoyant Brazilian. Read more about F1 at The Circuit.

"Always when you play at home you usually play better. I have had very good experiences in Brazil for the last two years, so hopefully we can repeat that and have a great experience again.

"For sure we are in a difficult position but we know many things can happen in one race. Until it is finished, we know that in sport many things can happen. We just need to concentrate on our job and try to win the race."

A year ago Hamilton held a seven-point lead over Raikkonen with one round to go, only to suffer a troubled race that cost him the title in his rookie season.

Even if Massa wins on home soil, the 23-year-old only needs to finish fifth to break Fernando Alonso's record as the youngest champion in F1.

Hamilton said: "I know going to Brazil will be a much better situation compared to last year and also we know that we will be a lot more competitive, so that is comforting.

"We know that we have got to do a good job. It will be tough and [Ferrari] will be pushing us hard but hopefully as a team we can pull through.

"In terms of how close I feel [to the title], I have not really thought about that. It is on your mind for sure but the fact that we have done a good job is what we needed to do. It is just that one step closer.

"We still have a tough race ahead of us in Brazil but I am really looking forward to it."

Championship outsider Robert Kubica had gone into the Chinese GP weekend needing the front two to continue with their recent error-prone displays.

But instead, the Pole struggled in his BMW and starting 12th could not better sixth in the race, a result that ended his faint title hopes.

"After a very difficult qualifying I'm pleased with sixth," said the 23-year-old.

"There is now one race left and I shall try hard to defend my third place in the drivers' championship."

Kubica is six points ahead of Raikkonen, who won in Brazil last year. Meanwhile, Ferrari are 11 points clear of McLaren in the constructors' championship and closing in on their 16th crown.