Time for some reality check

NURBURGRING, Germany: Renault’s world champion Fernando Alonso gave Michael Schumacher a reality check on the first day of practice for the German’s home European Grand Prix on Friday. Alexander Wurz was fastest in both the sessions for Williams, but the Austrian test driver will not race on Sunday.

In the morning, Schumacher led those who will line up on the starting grid although Alonso, leading the seven-time champion by 15 points after four races, did not set a time in that opening one-hour stint. When the 24-year-old Spaniard did get down to business in the afternoon, he pushed Schumacher back to third place.

Wurz lapped with a best time of one minute 32.079 seconds in the morning and 1:32.675 in the afternoon. Alonso was 0.904 seconds slower with Schumacher 0.944 off the pace.

The German, winner at Imola two weeks ago for his first victory in 13 races, is seeking to prove his once-dominant team are genuine championship contenders again.

Despite the 37-year-old’s form at the nearest circuit to his boyhood home in Kerpen, there are question marks about just how competitive his Bridgestone-shod Ferrari will prove against Michelin runners Renault and McLaren.

Alonso, who is joining McLaren next year, has said he considers that team — with Kimi Raikkonen and Juan Pablo Montoya — the main threat to Renault.