Schumacher predicts Ferrari challenge

Michael Schumacher expects to be fighting for his first win of the season at Barcelona this weekend but claims Fernando Alonso is still the man to beat on home ground.

Renault driver Alonso heads to his home grand prix on the back of three consecutive victories which have put him 18 points clear in the world championship chase.

But Schumacher has renewed optimism following a stunning performance at Imola which saw the Ferrari driver charge from 13th to second before Alonso’s defensive driving kept him at bay.

Schumacher is convinced Ferrari have turned the corner following a poor start to the season and heads to Barcelona expecting to be among the leading contenders in the Spanish Grand Prix.

He said: “The San Marino Grand Prix was just what the doctor ordered for all of us.

“Of course we had seen that we’re heading in the right direction before at Bahrain, but Imola showed that we’re capable of winning again.

“That gave us hope and encouragement for the next leg of the season, and has pushed our motivation even further.

“Fernando is still the first driver that has to be mentioned as a potential winner in Spain because his performance at Imola was highly impressive, he has already won three races and he is still leading the championship by far.

“That makes him a hot contender for winning the race. But I also think that McLaren-Mercedes and BAR will be strong.

“I think that Barcelona will be a close race, and of course I’m convinced that we’ll also have some say in who wins it.”