SUZUKA, Japan (AFP) - Veteran Rubens Barrichello is aiming to win his home Brazilian Grand Prix to keep alive his bid for this year's drivers world title race.

Barrichello finished seventh and one place ahead of his Brawn GP team-mate, world championship leader Briton Jenson Button, in Sunday's Japanese Grand Prix and is now 14 points behind him with two races remaining.

"It's my home race so I'll be going happily there to win the race and hopefully keep my chances alive,'" said the 37-year-old.

"That will be my aim. Here it was difficult. I wasn't happy with the set-up for the whole race. I was struggling big time with the tyres on the car.'"

The Brazilian believes a win in Sao Paulo could put him within striking distance of the drivers crown at the final race showdown in Abu Dhabi.

But he knows he has to rely on good car performance to deliver his dream finale to the season.

"When we had the same tyres on to begin with, I felt okay, but I couldn't get it back. I would have finished sixth if it wasn't for the safety car, but that was the best I could have aimed for.

"I did what I had to do. It was a superb lap in Q3 to stay in front of him (Button in qualifying) and to finish the weekend in front of him because, at the end of the day, when you are not happy with the car you struggle.

"And when you struggle you don't go fast.'"