Formula One: Alonso Comes to Grips With Ferrari Challenge

Williams test driver Alex Wurz may have set the fastest time in yesterday's first free practice for tomorrow's European grand prix, but the signs are that the battle for victory will be fought out yet again between reigning world champion Fernando Alonso's Renault R26 and the Ferrari 248 of Michael Schumacher.

Two weeks after being beaten by Schumacher in the San Marino grand prix at Imola, Alonso is quietly determined to wrest back the initiative and expand his 15-point championship lead on the circuit where he inherited a lucky win last year after Kimi Raikkonen's McLaren crashed out going into the last lap.

"The grip level was very low, as is quite usual for a Friday," said Alonso. "That makes the car a bit inconsistent to drive but we will make some changes tonight and as the circuit grip improves I am sure things will come together. The pace looks quite good."

This is also regarded as a crucial home race for Mercedes-Benz, the engine partner of the McLaren team, who tested a revised V8 engine at Silverstone last week but who is also worried about the new unit's reliability after a few problems at the British track. The new engine will only be used this weekend by Raikkonen as his team-mate, Juan Pablo Montoya, is on the second race of his current two-race engine cycle and will be using the same power unit as he did at Imola.

Meanwhile Jenson Button leapt to Silverstone's defence after some of his fellow drivers suggested that the Northamptonshire track had become dangerously fast this year largely because of aerodynamic rule changes and the much softer tyre compounds currently used. "Silverstone is not such an issue because you have high-speed run-off areas. But it's when you get to other circuits you have to worry," said Button.

"Silverstone is awesomely quick and driving around it now is spectacular.

"You are doing 175mph minimum through the first bend. It's fantastic. Speeds have risen in the corners this year but then with aerodynamic changes over the winter that was always going to happen."

Nürburgring

No of laps 60

Lap length 3.199 miles

Race distance 191.918 miles

Fastest lap 1m 29.468s M Schumacher, 2004

First used 1984

World championship races 13

Most wins Schumacher (4)

Pole position last year N Heidfeld, Williams

Winner last year F Alonso, Renault

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