Ahead of the German Grand Prix, it's worth noting that there are only four drivers that can stop Michael Schumacher taking his seventh, and fifth consecutive, World Championship title.

Last week's result was absolutely perfect for the German because of his main rivals, only Jenson Button added to his tally.

With seven races remaining, there are a maximum of seventy points available. Therefore, with Michael Schumacher on 100 points, only Barrichello (74), Button (53), Trulli (46) and Alonso (33) can challenge the German.

This season, Schumacher has scored an average of 9.1 points per race, compared to a career average of 5.524 points per race.

For Alonso to stand any possible hope of winning the title, he would have to win all seven remaining races, with Schumacher scoring none. Highly unlikely.

Even Jarno Trulli and Jenson Button would have to win a serious number of races, again with Schumacher failing to add significantly to his tally, for either the BAR or Renault driver to pull off a remarkable coup. Effectively each driver needs at least four wins to get within striking distance of the Ferrari star.

Therefore the only realistic challenger is Rubens Barrichello, who hasn't won since Japan last season, and whose average in 2004 is 6.7 points per race, compared to a career average of 2.152.

Other than accidents in Brazil (2003) and Monaco (2004), Schumacher hasn't retired from a race since Germany 2001, when he suffered a fuel pressure problem. That's fifty races.

Look's like it's all over.