Formula One: Schumachers battling it out in top two positions

Schumacher regained his composure for the start of the 67-lap European Grand Prix race in Nurburgring as he clung onto the advantage of pole despite a fierce attempt by his brother Ralf to get past.

The duo almost collided - as they did at the start of the 1997 race at the Nurburgring - before Schumacher senior claimed the battle for the first corner.

Colombia’s Juan Pablo Montoya retained third spot while David Coulthard, Schumacher’s closest title challenger, was promoted one place from fifth to fourth after making a better start than Barrichello.

The Brazilian had a nightmare as he dropped to seventh behind Mika Hakkinen in the other McLaren and Jordan’s Jarno Trulli.

Current positions (lap 16):

1. M Schumacher

2. R Schumacher

3. Montoya

4. Coulthard

11. Irvine