Schumacher upbeat on title chances

Schumacher's 87th career win, from pole position and ahead of Brazilian teammate Felipe Massa, trimmed Spaniard Alonso's overall championship lead to 19 points after 10 of the season's 18 races.

Alonso, only fifth today, now has 88 points to Schumacher's 69.

"We can only hope to keep some of the edge we had this weekend and transform it into the European season," said Schumacher.

"There is still a long way to go, eight races and 80 points to go. I am 20 (19) behind, and 80 is a lot and it is a lot but not impossible.

"But we have seen how easily things can happen. I think we can do it."

Ferrari's first one-two finish of the season meant seven times world champion Schumacher has now won five of the seven races held at Indianapolis since Formula One returned to America in 2000. It was Ferrari's first one-two since the 2004 season (when discounting last year's US GP).

"I didn't know it was that long ago," said Schumacher. "We definitely performed extremely well all weekend long. We prepared ourselves very hard for the overseas races, we knew we had a very good car in our hands. In Canada for some reason things didn't work out and here it was spot on.

"To have Felipe alongside is a dream result, with Fernando fifth it is a big step towards the championship. It is a great weekend with Germany winning the (World Cup) game and getting into semi final, it cannot be a better weekend."

The German also led a Ferrari one-two at Indianapolis last season but that was a hollow victory, with just six cars starting after the Michelin-equipped teams withdrew for tyre safety reasons.