Felipe Massa believes focus and consistency holds the key to a Formula One world title triumph this season.

Massa is locked in a three-way tie for the lead ahead of this weekend's German Grand Prix at Hockenheim.

The Brazilian is level on points with McLaren's Lewis Hamilton and Ferrari team-mate Kimi Raikkonen, with BMW Sauber's Robert Kubica only two points adrift.

Remarkably, all four drivers have endured their fair share of did-not-finishes this season, with mistakes more than mechanical failures playing their part.

Massa feels the driver who is quickest to cut out the mistakes and rakes in a solid number of points in the remaining nine grands prix will claim the championship.

"When there are four drivers separated by just two points, one does not have a greater possibility to win the title over another," said Massa.

"Everybody is in the same boat and anything can happen, as we have seen this season, so it's exciting.

"None of us can afford to lose points as we all have. We know we must concentrate to avoid mistakes but be quick at the same time.

"But from now on, consistency will be the most important thing to the end of the season because everybody is so close.

"You need to concentrate to be consistent race by race because, if somebody doesn't score, then that might be your opportunity for the championship."

Massa, who put in some impressive times during testing at Hockenheim last week, is confident he can get put down a marker in today's practice sessions following a wretched British Grand Prix weekend for the Ferrari team.

His Silverstone nightmare culminated in a race in which he spun five times in wet conditions which were mastered by Hamilton, before trailing home 13th and last of those that finished.

The 27-year-old insists all thoughts of what unfolded won't distract his thoughts in Germany, although he is unable to explain why it all went so horribly wrong.

He said: "What happened at Silverstone is definitely not in my mind. Everybody can have a bad day but I had a bad weekend. It was very dark. It started on Friday with my crash, then on Saturday with the problem in the pit stop and then on Sunday it was a disastrous race.

"That is something you can't explain but that is part of sport. Anybody can have a bad day just as they have a good day.

"That's what happened to me in the last race - I just hope it does not happen again.

"All I can say is I'm in with a good chance because I have a great car. I'm with a great team so I can fight for good points in every race."