"The win gave us that extra motivation," he said.

Schumacher has won at Nuerburgring four times. He also won the European GP when it was held in Spain.

The drivers have practice Friday and Saturday morning, with qualifying Saturday afternoon. Sunday's race is 59 laps.

Alonso's teammate, Giancarlo Fisichella, won the other race of the season. Renault holds a big lead in the constructors' standings over McLaren, 51-33.

The Ferraris and Renaults should be wary of the McLarens, which will be trying to impress engine supplier Mercedes, which has its home in nearby Stuttgart.

Kimi Raikkonen has had a competitive car throughout the first four races, although one race was spoiled when he was hit from behind on the opening lap. He has finished second, third and fifth in the three other races.

At last year's European GP, Raikkonen was leading comfortably when he skidded out of the race on the final lap after a tire failure. Alonso got the win.

"I am hoping to have a less dramatic race this year," Raikkonen said.

Yuji Ide, the rookie driver for the Super Aguri team, has been dropped for this week's race.

The sport's governing body, FIA, asked the team to send Ide back to the testing track to gain more experience after a series of mishaps and slow laps.

France's Franck Montagny will move up from the test driver slot to make his F1 debut.