Alonso running light
Although the title leading Spaniard patted himself on the back after securing his first pole of 2006, he also admitted to reporters that Renault 'tried something a bit different' in terms of strategy.
So far this year, the blue and yellow car has carried a substantial level of first-stint fuel.
''I will be surprised if Alonso is carrying more fuel than us,'' said Ferrari's technical director Ross Brawn.
Alonso, 24, indicated that the plan is to get to the first corner first and pull out a lead.
He explained: ''At previous races we have had problems with traffic or the fuel load. The Ferraris look very competitive.''
Alonso's engineering chief Pat Symonds, meanwhile, hinted that 'some teams' – perhaps Ferrari and Bridgestone – have brought 'quite adventurous tire specifications' to Germany. He is probably referring to rumors that the Bridgestone appears to be a particularly soft tire.
No matter the situation, though, Sunday is shaping up to be a close race, to in all probability be an Imola-like re-match between Alonso and Schumacher.
But Schumacher denied that, with his fuel load, he could have put the Ferrari on pole. ''Nowhere would I have found those two tenths,'' said the German.
''But we believe that race pace is more important than qualifying pace.''
The duo's rival Jenson Button has said all weekend that he would put his money on Renault.
''I think (Alonso) will win it easily,'' he said plainly in Germany.