Schuey faces tough test in Hungary

Nobody is taking the Ferrari team leader's grid position at face value. Schumacher did lock up going into Turn 2 on his qualifying lap, costing himself a bit of time, but Michelin's Pierre Dupasquier pointed out that Michael had been fastest in the pre-session warm-up and went half a second slower in qualifying. It could be that he is planning one stop less than his major rivals, hoping to leave them the task of having to pass him.

Williams technical director Patrick Head said: "Maybe he's on more fuel and maybe a harder tyre, but I hope one of the cars in front of him is rather slow... You have to remember that Michael was not in the best shape at Hockenheim but until he had a puncture he was lying second. He's one driver who you never look at him in eighth and say oh well, he's history. Michael is never history."

Crucial to the outcome could be whether the revised Hungaroring layout, with the front straight lengthened and first corner re-profiled, will actually facilitate more overtaking.

"I think the run down to Turn 1 will open out the opportunities," McLaren's David Coulthard said. "In the past, the frustration was that you had just picked up the slipstream when you had to brake for Turn 1. Although it will be very dusty and a risky manoeuvre, it can be done."