Schumacher and Alonso ready to battle at Euroepan GP (ANSA) - Nurburgring, May 5 - Ferrari and Renault squared off ahead of this weekend's European Grand Prix here with Michael Schumacher riding Fernando Alonso's tail during practice session on Friday .

Reigning world champion Alonso did not take part in the morning practice, in which Schumacher had the fourth best time, but was second in the afternoon with the Ferrari driver a close third .

Williams test driver Alexander Wurtz was first on both sessions, although he was slower in the second .

Schumacher's teammate Felipe Massa also did not take part in the first practice and was a disappointing 14th in the afternoon, while Giancarlo Fisichella was 9th in the afternoon with the other Renault .

McLaren-Mercedes, which is basically running on its home turf, sent out only one car in the morning, Kimi Raikkonen clocking 8th, and failed to get up to speed in the second practice with Raikkonen 13th and Juan Pablo Montoya a distant 17th .

The pace set by Alonso and Schumacher appeared to set the stage for a repeat of the neck-in-neck race during the last race in Italy, won by the Ferrari driver .

Observers expect the European Grand Prix will again be a race determined by tire choice and pit-stop strategy and may also depend on who gets pole position on Saturday .

Schumacher has already won four times here and thanks to his San Marino victory is confidence about his chances on Sunday .

Speaking at the pre-race press conference, the seven times world champion said "I believe we are in a position to battle for a win. The competition will be very close between three teams, if not more. The race is going to be won by the driver who can get the best out of his package" .