With Formula One now entering the second half of the season, the circus moves back to Europe following a significant North American jaunt that has thrown Michael Schumacher a lifeline in his quest to hunt down Fernando Alonso.


Indeed, while Alonso was on his usual imperious form in Canada, he was an unusually lacklustre fifth place at Indianapolis, while Schumacher duly seized his opportunity for a third win of the year on a weekend where Ferrari harked back to their dominant days with a resounding 1-2 finish.



As a result, the gap between the two is down to 19 points as the season reaches the eleventh round at Magny-Cours in the Nevers region of France. A popular testing destination, Magny-Cours is not renowned for producing classic encounters, but with Schumacher back on Alonso's scent, the annual trip to usually French countryside could well throw up a thrilling battle at a pivotal time in the year.