Schumacher rules out 17 wins

Renault's Jarno Trulli remains the only driver to have taken a victory off the German at the Monaco Grand Prix, since then Schumacher has driven sensationally and his world champion Ferrari team has won the strategic battles with relative ease.

Asked if he could win 17 of the 18 races this year, Schumacher replied: "I think it is impossible."

BAR-Honda's Jenson Button ran the German close at Hockenheim on Sunday, finishing the race eight seconds down on Schumacher following the 66 laps. The Brition left the circuit wandering what could have been if he had started third on the grid rather than 13th due to his Friday engine penalty.

"It's slightly disappointing because if I had started third it could have been a different story," he said. "I could have put a lot more pressure on Michael, which I would have enjoyed very much!"

McLaren team boss Ron Dennis believes his two drivers, Kimi Raikkonen and David Coulthard are now the only two who could stop the Schumacher juggernaut now they have the new MP4-19B.

Raikkonen certainly came close to the rear of the Ferrari driver only for his own rear wing to fail on the start-finish straight.

"I don't think anyone other than us had the opportunity to beat Michael," Dennis said after the race.

Renault's Fernando Alonso has other ideas, though, and predicts a strong showing from the Anglo-French team at both Hungary and Spa - the next two races following the three-week summer break.

"We have my two favourite tracks coming now, Hungary and Spa," Alonso said. "I think Hungary will suit our car, Spa as well, and we will go for the podium or victory if we have the possibility."