Formula One world champion Fernando Alonso of Spain walks out of a truck at the Istanbul Park race track, venue of Turkey's Formula One race, in Istanbul August 24, 2006. The Turkish Grand Prix will take place on August 27, 2006. [Reuters]

With five races left in the season, Alonso's lead has dropped from 25 points to 10 over the last four races.

"Within three races we turned around and now the championship is very open. That shows how quickly things can go," Schumacher said. "The last races show it is sometimes a fine edge that can go one way or another."

Alonso is not discouraged.

"I am in the position where everybody wants to be in, leading the championship, with the races counting down," the Renault driver said.

After winning six of the first nine races this season, Alonso has had a second, two fifths and did not complete the Aug. 6 Hungarian GP when a wheel nut broke off while he had a comfortable lead.

"It is the first mechanical problem in two years so it is not a drama. The reliability of the car has been fantastic," Alonso said. "(Ferrari's) package is working very well the last four or five races. But I think this is due to the tire performance and not only the car.

"We are making some improvements and I think from this race on we will see them. The last five races will suit our car and our package better."

He accepted Wednesday's ruling against 'mass dampers' ¡ª a device used to reduce vibrations on the car worth about a fraction of a second per lap.

The sport's ruling body decided against the device, although Renault had used it last year and up until three races ago when it was put under more scrutiny.

Schumacher has won three of the last four races in his Ferrari, and even had a gift point in Hungary.

After he dropped out with two laps left because of mechanical problems and finished a non-scoring ninth, Schumacher was moved to eighth some 4 hours after the race when seventh-place finisher Robert Kubica was disqualified for an underweight car.

"At the end of the day, we got lucky and got a point," Schumacher said. "It could be crucial."

With a victory worth 10 points, Schumacher can share the drivers championship lead if he wins at Turkey and Alonso is scoreless.