Paris, Aug 07: Twelve months ago Michael Schumacher and Valentino Rossi were on top of the world. Schumacher had wrapped up his fifth formula one world title with half of the season remaining while Rossi was about to pick up his second successive world motorcycling crown with four races to spare.

However, both men are spending their mid-summer breaks this year with their reputations on the line as a long list of pretenders come snapping at their heels. Schumacher still leads the championship in his Ferrari but his lead is just six points from Williams ace Juan Pablo Montoya while, on two wheels, Rossi has seen his lead slashed.

The Honda star has gone four races without a win; Schumacher's winning drought now stands at five rounds. Schumacher enjoyed a 23 point lead over Montoya after his last win in Canada in June.

In the constructors race, Ferrari lead Williams by 120-118; after Canada, the margin was 85-64.

Schumacher is not optimistic about his chances at the next race in Hungary on August 24 when the searing heat will again put tyres under pressure with the Bridgestone-clad Ferraris expected to struggle against their Michelin rivals.

Bureau Report