Schumacher says tyres will decide title

Seven-time champion Schumacher held the upper hand in the previous race in Indianapolis after his Bridgestone tyres proved superior to the Michelin rubber used by rivals Renault.

Although everyone is expected a close battle up front this weekend, the German is hoping for a similar situation at Magny-Cours.

"We hope to be as good prepared as we were in Indy or other races that we did win, but in F1 things are very tough and very efficient, and the main thing is going to be tyres," Schumacher told reporters in France.

"We have seen this in the last races in particular.

"If the tyres work out then we are looking good and if we have some trouble then we are in trouble because our car is a great car, but if the tyres don't perform on the optimum then the car cannot really do anything.

"We had a great weekend in Indianapolis and we look forward to repeat that, absolutely."

Alonso agreed with his rival that tyres will play a crucial role in the remainder of the season.

"At the moment I think they were quite equal Bridgestone and Michelin and we can see a good fight between the teams with no big advantage," said Alonso. "But for sure if one tyre manufacturer finds something more than the other it can be the complete opposite.

"A Michelin team could win all the races remaining, or Ferrari could win all the remaining races. This will be a championship key, but still like now if we are still the same then it will be one race for each one."

Schumacher reduced the gap to Renault rival Fernando Alonso from 25 to 19 points following the US Grand Prix victory, and he reckons it was a big step towards having realistic options of taking the title.

"Obviously this was quite a major step and if we could keep that rate then you can imagine how long it would take to get us back in the championship," he added.

"It (the title) is possible within 19 points, you can calculate that yourself. It depends on how the rest of the season will go. But mathematically it is open and we will keep on fighting until that is the case."