Sao Paulo, Brazil (My Sportsbook) - Felipe Massa kept his World Championship hopes very much alive as he won the pole for Sunday's season-ending Brazilian Grand Prix at the Autodromo Jose Carlos Pace. The Brazilian driver pleased his home crowd after turning in the best time of one minute, 12.368 seconds during the third and final qualifying session.

The pole victory was Massa's third in a row at Interlagos, sixth of the season and the 15th of his Formula One career.

The Ferrari driver enters the Brazilian GP seven points behind McLaren rival Lewis Hamilton.

"It's so nice to be here, and making the third pole position in a row in Brazil in front of this fantastic (crowd), that is great for us," Massa said.

Starting on the front row with Massa will be Toyota's Jarno Trulli, who posted a time of 1:12.737.

Massa's teammate Kimi Raikkonen (1:12.825) and Hamilton (1:12.830) will start on the second row.

Hamilton was second on the grid until the final moment in Q3 when Trulli and Raikkonen bounced the current points leader from his position.

Massa and Hamilton were fastest throughout the first two qualifying sessions, but Massa used a new set of tires during the final round to record the quickest lap.

Hamilton is a heavy favorite to win the title, but anything is possible, as was the case last year at Interlagos.

Hamilton, in his rookie season, entered the 2007 Brazilian GP with a four- point lead over his then-McLaren teammate Fernando Alonso and seven points ahead of Raikkonen.

Raikkonen leaped over Alonso and Hamilton to capture the World Championship after winning the Brazilian GP. Hamilton faded early in the race and was never a factor as he finished seventh, while Alonso came in third. Raikkonen claimed the F1 title by only one point over Hamilton and Alonso.

If Hamilton finishes fifth or better, he will be crowned this year's champion, regardless of Massa's performance.

Hamilton could also clinch the title if he fails to score a point, meaning he finished ninth or worse. For that to happen, Massa would have to finish third or lower.

Massa will capture the title if he wins and Hamilton finishes sixth or worse, or finishes second and Hamilton is eighth or lower.

If by chance, Hamilton and Massa end the season tied in points, which would happen if Massa wins the Brazilian GP and Hamilton finishes sixth, Massa would win the championship by virtue of more victories (six to Hamilton's five).

The race begins Sunday at 12:00 p.m. (et).