McLaren Mercedes driver Lewis Hamilton of Britain reacts as he follows Ferrari driver Felipe Massa of Brazil after the qualifying session for the Chinese Formula One Grand Prix at the Shanghai International Formula One Grand Prix circuit yesterday. Hamilton took pole position for todays race. - AP

SHANGHAI, China (AP):

CHAMPIONSHIP LEADER Lewis Hamilton wants his rivals to play fair in todays Chinese Formula One Grand Prix and not try to sabotage his title bid.

McLarens Hamilton secured pole position yesterday, and a prime opportunity to secure the title here before the last race in Brazil.

Hamilton will be the 2008 champion if he finishes on the podium today and gets six points more than Ferraris Felipe Massa and BMWs Robert Kubica fails to win the race. Hamilton has 84 points, Massa has 79 and Kubica 72.

Rivals

However, Hamiltons key rivals surround him on the grid. Ferrari teammates Kimi Raikkonen and Massa will start from second and third on the grid.

Renaults Fernando Alonso, who has declared he will do whatever he can to help Massa win the title, will start from fourth.

That sets the stage for a nerve-jangling sprint to the first corner, in which all drivers will be mindful of the chaos of the opening turn at last weeks Japanese Grand Prix.

Hamilton is putting faith in his rivals not to block him or trigger a collision.

Kimi is a world champion, he is not a stupid guy, Hamilton said. I am sure he wants to win just as much as everyone else does. I have every confidence he will be sensible. I have nothing to worry about. (Alonso) is a two-time world champion, he is a sensible guy. Felipe has plenty of experience, so I have to trust they are both respectable people and will fight fair.

Hamilton carries into the race the memory of Japan, where his interference at the first corner resulted in a pit drive-through penalty and a finish outside the points.

I have to take the last race into account, Hamilton said. I will put that into my memory bank and make sure I dont make the same mistake again.

It will be hard to beat (Raikkonen) off the start, but we are in a position to at least attack. If he is ahead of me it doesnt really matter. As long as Felipe is behind me, thats positive.

race performance

The Ferraris had been off Hamiltons pace all through the race weekend, but were putting faith in their proven ability to compensate for second-best in qualifying with strong race performance.

Tomorrow things could change as the car has shown it is very good over a long run, Massa said. We will have to attack to make up positions and we believe we have a good race strategy. Sure, our competitors went well and will be very competitive. Lets hope we are more competitive than they are.