2006 European Grand Prix

Championship standings

Alonso leads with 36 points. Schumacher’s win at Imola — his first of the season — has lifted him into second on 21 points. Räikkönen is third on 18.

Previous race

At San Marino, Schumacher won from pole position, breaking Ayrton Senna’s record of 65 career pole positions in the process. Alonso finished second and Montoya third. In the opening lap, Super Aguri’s Yuji Ide struck MF1’s Christijan Albers, sending the Dutchman’s car into a series of rolls that left it upside down; Albers was unhurt. Ide was reprimanded by stewards and warned over his future conduct.

Between-race developments

Following Ide’s erratic driving at San Marino and in earlier rounds, the FIA has revoked his superlicence. He can no longer race in Formula One. Super Aguri promote reserve driver Franck Montagny to a race seat for this weekend, making him the first French Formula One driver since Olivier Panis at the 2004 Japanese Grand Prix.

Practice

Williams third driver Alexander Wurz led both Friday practice sessions. The more representative Saturday session was topped by Michael Schumacher in the Ferrari, with Felipe Massa second.

Milestones

The Nürburgring hosts its 36th Formula One race this weekend — the 11th edition of the European Grand Prix at this venue.