Schumacher Needs Home Win to Stay in Charge

Michael Schumacher needs a home soil boost in Sunday's German Grand Prix to put his world title bid back on track.

The Ferrari driver has failed to glean a point in three of the last four races -- the exception was his Canadian victory last month.

His commanding early season advantage has dwindled to six points following the improved consistency and form of McLaren pair David Coulthard and defending champion Mika Hakkinen.

"I have lost 16 points of my lead in the last two races, so obviously I will be eager to keep the six points lead I have at the moment, or better still to improve on it at Hockenheim," said Schumacher.

"We have a strong car and all we need now is a bit better luck than we have had in the last couple of races."

Accidents and mechanical failures conspired to remove Schumacher from the Monaco, French and Austrian Grands Prix either side of his Montreal success. The illusion of invincibility created by four wins in the opening six races has evaporated.

Sidelined

With Schumacher sidelined by a broken leg at last year's German race, his then Ferrari team mate Eddie Irvine led Mika Salo home in a stirring one-two win for the Italian team. Tyre problems wrecked McLaren's hopes.

"The atmosphere at Hockenheim is really something special," said Schumacher. "In the stadium section you can see all the stands and see all the people cheering and, sometimes, you can hear it. My home win there in 1995 was something really special in my career and I would certainly like to experience that again.

"But I know how tough it can be at Hockenheim. It is always a compromise in set-up between straight-line speed and the handling you need in the stadium section. It is also very tough on the engine, which is running longer at high revs than at any other circuit we visit, and of course on the brakes.

"They have to be used, from a very high speed, as hard as possible four times on each lap and it is essential to have good braking throughout the race, as it is almost impossible to keep your position if the next car brakes any later."

Schumacher, on 56 points, currently leads the championship with Coulthard on 50 and Hakkinen 48. Rubens Barrichello, the second Ferrari driver, is fourth on 36 with 10 of 17 rounds completed.

In Contention

Hakkinen remains right in contention following this week's confirmation of his Austrian Grand Prix triumph. The Finn's victory had been in doubt for nine days after race scrutineers discovered a technical infringement on his car.

But McLaren were fined and docked constructors' championship points, enabling Ferrari to regain first place in the chase for the team prize.

Schumacher is not the only German who regards the race as his opportunity to shine at home. Younger brother Ralf, with Williams, and old rival Heinz-Harald Frentzen of Jordan, are equally keen to impress.

Frentzen, who announced a new two-year deal with the Silverstone-based team on Wednesday, could do with an improved result after a lacklustre season to date. Last year, he qualified second and finished third.

"I had always wanted to do well at home and that was just great for me," he said. "To finish on the podium, in front of a home crowd, is something really special."