By Elmar Dreher May 2, 2006, 18:59 GMT
Stuttgart, Germany - After managing his first victory of the season in the last race in Imola at the San Marino Grand Prix Michael Schumacher is hoping for a repeat performance this Sunday at the European Grand Prix on the Nuerburgring.
'Imola should not be a once-only. We are determined to leave the Nuerburgring with a victory,' the seven-time world champion said.
His big rival, world champion Fernando Alonso, expects a tough battle. 'We should not write off Ferrari', said the Spaniard who has a commanding 15 point lead from Schumacher in the championship standings after winning two of the opening four races.
After winning his first 'real' race since more than 18 months and aware of the competitiveness of the Ferrari Schumacher is looking forward to the short trip from his hometown of Kerpen to the Nuerburgring.
'I am looking forward to the race even more than I normally do,' he said on his webpage. (www.michael-schumacher.de)
After a disappointing last season and a slow start to this one, Schumacher - who has 85-career victories under his belt - is optimistic that he can again challenge for the title.
'After the race in Imola and the positive results in recent tests I am confident that we can challenge for victories - which would be a great change from last year.'
Even though Alonso leads by 15 points, the Renault driver believes the race for the championship is much closer than the points would suggest.
However, Alonso sees some similarities to last year. 'We do not know how reliable Ferrari will be this year. In the races so far this season they have been as good in the races in which they were good last season and as bad in the races in which they were bad last season also.
But it is too early to say that it will continue like that,' he said, adding that he will be able to again challenge for a victory. The 24-year-old won the European Grand Prix last season - Schumacher has four victories in the race.
He admits that the opposition will be strong, 'but we are also strong. I am sure that the problems we had in the first few races are behind us,' he said.
Your Talkback on this Story