Highlights

Motor racing-Schumacher getting better with age, says Alonso

(Reuters)
Updated: 2006-07-28 09:03

HOCKENHEIM, Germany, July 27 - Fernando Alonso can see nothing in Michael Schumacher's current form to suggest that the Ferrari ace need consider retirement at the end of the Formula One season.

In the eyes of the 24-year-old Spaniard, the sport's youngest champion, the oldest and most successful driver on the starting grid is only improving as he moves closer to his 38th birthday.

"I think this is a sport (in which) to get old is not very important," the Renault driver told reporters on Thursday at what could be Schumacher's last home German Grand Prix.

"Maybe you can lose some of the reflexes or something like that, but really in a small number. You have a big experience advantage every year.

"At the end of the day it's very difficult to be going down.

"I think you are a better and better driver every year, even at 38 years old."

Schumacher, the seven times champion whose Ferrari contract ends this year, refused to give any hints about his future at a later news conference although many expect him to continue for at least another year.

"We will see at Monza," he said, referring to Ferrari's home Italian Grand Prix in September where the team have said they will confirm their 2007 line-up.

CLOSER BATTLE

Alonso arrives at Hockenheim, where he won last season, with a 17-point advantage over his rival and eager to reassert himself.

Schumacher has won the last two races -- and four in total this year -- and the expected high temperatures on Sunday could also play to his favour just as they did in France two weeks earlier.

However Alonso remained relaxed, knowing that he can retain his title if he finishes only second in every race.

"I think last year was, at the moment, tougher than this year," he said. "But the final result of this year may be tighter than last year."