Motorsport: Alonso full of respect for Schumacher

HOCKENHEIM, Germany - Fernando Alonso can see nothing in Michael Schumacher's current form to suggest the Ferrari ace need consider retirement at the end of the Formula One motor racing 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 said today ahead of what could be Schumacher's last home German grand prix on Monday morning (NZ time).

"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-time champion whose Ferrari contract ends this year, refused to give any hints about his future 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.

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 Monday could also play to his favour just as they did in France a fortnight ago.

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."

"With seven races to go last year, I had the McLaren that was around half a second quicker than us at every grand prix and it was impossible to beat them, only when they had mechanical problems did we win the race.

"This year with Ferrari, some races we win and some races they win depending on the tyres and it is much more equal.

"But they don't have the mechanical problems so they get good points always and the championship is not decided."

Although both he and McLaren's Kimi Raikkonen won seven races each last year, the Spaniard clinched the title with two rounds to spare.

While Schumacher has the momentum, Alonso recalled that the last time this season that the German won two races in succession it was followed by Alonso winning the next four.

"The important thing is how the package works every weekend, every grand prix," he said.

"It is so different every race. In Canada we were winning, and yet a week later with the same car and engine we were one second down compared to Ferrari.

"This is what is going to happen for the rest of the season."

- REUTERS