Schumacher tips the F1 balance further in his favour

By Elmar Dreher Jul 31, 2006, 14:02 GMT

German Formula One driver Michael Schumacher of Ferrari celebrates on the podium after winning the German Grand Prix at the racetrack in Hockenheim, Germany, Sunday 30 July 2006. EPA/CARMEN JASPERSEN

Hockenheim, Germany - If he continues in this way, Michael Schumacher will have snatched the world championship lead before or after the Italian home Grand Prix of his Ferrari team.

Such a scenario will see tens of thousands of delirious 'tifosi' at the Monza track and could also influence the future of the seven- time Formula One champion.

Schumacher plans to announce his future at the race on September, and the chance of capping a remarkable season with an eighth world title at the October 22 finale in Brail could prompt him to step down at the end of the season at the height of his career.

The German appeared down and out when champion Fernando Alonso won his fourth race in a row and the sixth of the season on June 25 in Canada to open up a massive 25-point lead over Schumacher.

'Schumi, that was it. The title race is over, the fiesta Alonso continues,' titled Germany's Bild daily the following day.

The same publication said on Monday: 'Schumi, now you are going to win the title!'

Schumacher has created an astonishing turnaround in those past five weeks, winning all three races since Canada. Alonso, by contrast, managed only two fifth-place finishes and one in second place - the latter his worst result in the first nine races.

The emphatic triumph Sunday at what could have been his last German home Grand Prix saw Alonso's lead slashed to 11 points.

Schumacher had all the momentum on his side as he heads into the next races in Hungary and Turkey before the Italian climax - which is followed by three more races.

'At this rate, Michael Schumacher and Ferrari will be leading the world championships by their home race in Monza in September. What once seemed unthinkable, as Fernando Alonso and his Renault team appeared to hold the titles in their hands, now seems likely after the progress made by Ferrari and their tyre supplier, Bridgestone,' said British daily The Independent.

'While church bells rang in Maranello last night, in the traditional celebration of a Ferrari victory, at Renault's bases in Enstone and Viry-Chatillon it was alarm bells.'

Italian daily Corriere della Sera agreed: 'Schumacher creates fear again, especially for Alonso who has lost his smile.'

Schumacher's dominance over his rival was crushing, with the German leading by more than 40 seconds at a time as Alonso struggled with blistering tyres and lack of speed.

'We were not competitive this weekend, but I did the maximum I could and so did the team. Without the blistering we experienced, the podium was a possibility. But the tyres then blistered. We did not have enough to fight Ferrari here,' admitted Alonso.

Schumacher spoke of a 'perfect weekend,' now that he is able to win the championship on his own again without the help of others, but he will take nothing for granted in the final races.

'Eleven points to catch up, there's a chance to win the championship. And the best part about it is I can win on my own strength!' he said.

'The performance we have shown in the last three races against our competitor, it gives us great confidence that at least for some more races we can probably keep that and hopefully reduce the gap in the championship pretty significantly (and) quickly,' he said.

'We have to expect that Renault will come back at some stage, so we must keep on winning a race, more races. It's very important that we use this opportunity,' said Schumacher.