The race to be the Formula One king is heating up. Michael Schumacher of late has been closing the gap on defending champion Fernando Alonso. This week the title race has reached Schumacher home turf at Hokenhien for German Grand Prix 2006.

Schumacher didn't disappoint the home crowd by securing the second place in the qualifying, well ahead of title contender Alonso who will start tomorrow's race from seventh place on the grid.

Resurgence of Raikkonen

The Finnish driver so far has a disappointing 2006 after an ill lucked 2005 when his car failed him time and time again. Today in Qualifying he and the McLaren -Mercedes team got their act together and secured pole position. This is ninth career pole position for the Finnish Driver and a welcome relief for engine provider Mercedes in its home grand prix.

Two Scarlets Tailing Behind

The two Ferraris of Michael Schumacher and Felipe Massa tailed behind Raikkonen and finished second and third respectively. This will provide an opportunity to Michael Schumacher to reduce the gap in title race.

Honda Heroics

The year started with much fanfare for Honda as they materialize the Coup by signing Barrichello and some exciting times in the trials. Since then it has been a one way downstream for Honda. German Qualifying raised hopes at Honda camp as both its driver finished in top six positions on the grid.

Alonso Hardship

Fernando Alonso will start from the furthest back in a race this year and have to drive out of his guts to secure something out of this race. Above all his main concern will be to keep pace with Schumacher and prevent him from closing the gap in this year title race.

Qualifying result at Hockenheim:

1.Kimi Raikkonen (Fin) McLaren - Mercedes one minute 14.070 seconds

2. Michael Schumacher (Ger) Ferrari 1:14.205

3. Felipe Massa (Brz) Ferrari 1:14.569

4. Jenson Button (GB) Honda 1:14.862

5. Giancarlo Fisichella (Ita) Renault 1:14.894

6. Rubens Barrichello (Brz) Honda 1:14.934

7. Fernando Alonso (Spa) Renault 1:15.282

8. Ralf Schumacher (Ger) Toyota 1:15.923

9. Pedro de la Rosa (Spa) McLaren-Mercedes 1:15.936

10. David Coulthard (GB) RedBull-Ferrari 1:16.326

11. Mark Webber (Aus) Williams-Cosworth 1:15.094

12. Christian Klien (Aut) RedBull-Ferrari 1:15.141

13. Jarno Trulli (Ita) Toyota 1:15.150

14. Jacques Villeneuve (Can) BMW Sauber 1:15.329

15. Nico Rosberg (Ger) Williams-Cosworth 1:15.380

16. Nick Heidfeld (Ger) BMW Sauber 1:15.397

17. Vitantonio Liuzzi (Ita) Toro Rosso-Cosworth 1:16.399

18. Christijan Albers (Ned) Midland-Toyota 1:17.093

19. Takuma Sato (Jpn) Super Aguri-Honda 1:17.185

20. Tiago Monteiro (Por) Midland-Toyota 1:17.836

21. Sakon Yamamoto (Jpn) Super Aguri-Honda 1:20.444

22. Scott Speed (US) Toro Rosso-Cosworth

( Source: Qualifying Table: BBC World Wide)