Euro GP race to be over by first corner
Much like at Imola two weeks ago, the Nurburgring is a tough circuit to perform an overtaking maneuver on.
''I think it's a bit better here than Imola,'' Michael Schumacher, this time to start behind Imola rival Fernando Alonso, said on Saturday afternoon.
''You can try at two places — turn one and turn-13. It's not easy but it is definitely possible.''
Former triple world champion Niki Lauda, however, painted a duller picture. He said there is 'hardly a chance' to pass at this venue.
''So Schumacher needs a super-start,'' said the Austrian great, ''if he wants a good chance to win.''
Ferrari driver Schumacher's other problem at 2pm on Sunday is threefold; not only is he already behind Alonso, but the Renault is still the fastest starter on the grid.
To make matters worse, the German is on the dirty side of the track.
''They are usually very good (at starting),'' Schumacher, 37, acknowledged, ''but we have been doing a lot of work in that area too.
''Whether we have caught up enough, we will find out.''
The joker up Schumacher's sleeve, however, is incredible straight-line speed. One analyst predicted that his advantage over the Renault on Sunday will be between 8-10kph.
Alonso said: ''I want to win, but if it turns out that I cannot, then second place is also ok.
''Then I will win at my home race (next Sunday) instead!''