Schumacher seeks win in what could be his last German race

By Elmar Dreher Jul 26, 2006, 12:14 GMT

Hockenheim, Germany - First comes the fun part in the form of the annual football charity match, then what could be the last Formula One race of Michael Schumacher in his German homeland.

Schumacher, 37, has yet to announce whether he will continue his illustrious career beyond the season, but the Ferrari star did admit that the German Grand Prix at Hockenheim is extra motivation for him.

Another win on Sunday (the football fund-raiser was scheduled for Wednesday night in nearby Mannheim) would further enhance his chances of stealing an eighth world title from current leader Fernando Alonso of the Renault team.

'Ferrari is travelling to Hockenheim having won the last two races, and it's no secret that we're going to go for the hat-trick. We've got our minds set on making red the colour of the championship and Hockenheim is meant to be the next step in our bid to catch up,' he said on his website.

'Of course we're also counting on our fans support.'

'This race is a little bit of an extra-motivation for all German drivers. Even it's not visible with respect to the lap-times, the psychological effect is definitely there.

'We always get so much support from the fantastic fans at Hockenheim, so your subconscious mind takes that along into the weekend,' he said.

Schumacher needs every help he can get in order make his deficit on Alonso which currently stands at 17 points.

He made up eight points in the last two races on the Spaniard, but with only seven races left in the season Schumacher would not even get the title if he wins each race and Alonso finishes second in six of them. The winner gets 10 points, second place is worth eight points.

Schumacher's victory at Renault's home race in France two weeks ago could indicate a power shift towards Ferrari and their tyre partners Bridgestone as Renault and Michelin were originally considered favourites in Magny-Cours.

'We want to leave Hockenheim as winners. A victory there could be worth more than 10 points from a psychological point of view. We are fully concentrated, we want to pressure (Alonso), to make up ground, to win again,' insisted Schumacher.

Ferrari team boss Jean Todt also pointed out that help from at least from Ferrari's other driver Felipe Massa is needed in order to lift Schumacher to the title.

But he shared Schumacher's optimism in a general way.

'We won't be fast in Hockenheim alone but at the other races as well,' he insisted.