By Elmar Dreher May 5, 2006, 16:48 GMT
Nuerburg, Germany - World champion Fernando Alonso beat Michael Schumacher by a fraction in Friday practice, promising another thrilling duel at the European Formula One Grand Prix.
Current world champion Fernando Alonso of Renault in action during the first practice session for the Grand Prix of Europe at the Nuerburgring circuit, Friday 05 May 2006. EPA/Kerim Okten
Schumacher said he was 'very satisfied' while Alonso was still not quite sure whether Ferrari are really competitive now.
'We still need a clearer picture who are our main rivals,' Alonso said.
After recording no time as usual in the morning session, the Renault driver Alonso clocked 1 minute 33.579 in the afternoon on the 5.148-kilometres Nuerburgring course.
Schumacher clocked 1:33.619 in front of a home crowd, with his brother Ralf in a Toyota the next best German driver in sixth place with 1:33.883 minutes.
Williams test driver Alexander Wurz led the way in the second session with 1:32.675 seconds, with other test drivers Robert Doornbos (Red Bull) and Anthony Davidson (Honda) sandwiched between the Schumacher brothers in fourth and fifth place.
The test drivers are only eligible to compete on Friday at a GP weekend.
The seven-time world champion Schumacher beat Alonso two weeks ago in Imola, Italy, for Ferrari's first real win in 18 months and another duel between the two stars looms for Saturday qualifying and Sunday's race.
Alonso leads the drivers standings with 36 points from four races ahead of Schumacher (21) and McLaren-Mercedes driver Kimi Raikkonen (18 points).
Raikkonen, who had to retire with a flat tyre in leading position in the final lap of last year's race then won by Alonso, was 13th Friday afternoon in 1:34.536.
Alonso rates McLaren the most dangerous rivals, but Friday's session could be another indication that Ferrari have done their homework after a mediocre start into the season.
'It appears that we are competitive. We have a chance to win if everything goes 100 per cent,' he said.
Schumacher expressed his hope that other teams will be fast as well to take away championship points from Alonso, but admitted that 'It doesn't really look that way right now.'
The day's fastest time of 1:32.079 minutes came from test driver Wurz in the morning session, with the four-time Nuerburgring winner Schumacher the best race driver on 1:32.858 minutes.
Your Talkback on this Story