NUERBURGRING, May 7: Ferrari's Michael Schumacher won his home European Grand Prix on Sunday to prove the doubters wrong and put himself firmly back on the title trail.

Roared on by an ecstatic crowd of red-shirted German supporters, the seven times champion saw off Renault's Fernando Alonso to celebrate a record 86th victory of his career and second in a row.

Alonso, the 24-year-old champion, finished second and saw his overall lead over Schumacher cut to 13 points after five races.

The Spaniard has 44 points to Schumacher's 31. McLaren's Kimi Raikkonen has 23.

Those who had suggested that the 37-year-old German's victory at Imola two weeks ago was merely a Ferrari flash in the pan at their home circuit had to eat their words in the Nuerburgring sunshine.

Schumacher finished 3.7 seconds clear of Alonso and saluted his fans with a raised fist on the victory lap. Brazilian team mate Felipe Massa was third for the first podium finish of his 58-race career.

Results:

1. Michael Schumacher (Germany) Ferrari 1:35:58.765; Fernando Alonso (Spain) Renault +00:03.751; 2. Felipe Massa (Brazil) Ferrari 00:04.447; 3. Kimi Raikkonen (Finland) McLaren 00:04.879; 5. Rubens Barrichello (Brazil) Honda 01:12.586; 6. Giancarlo Fisichella (Italy) Renault 01:14.116; 7. Nico Rosberg (Germany) Williams-Cosworth 01:14.565; 8. Jacques Villeneuve (Canada) BMW Sauber 01:29.364; 9. Jarno Trulli (Italy) Toyota 1 lap; 10. Nick Heidfeld (Germany) BMW Sauber 1 lap; 11. Scott Speed (US) Toro Rosso-Cosworth 1 lap; 12. Tiago Monteiro (Portugal) MF1-Toyota 1 lap; 13. Christijan Albers (Netherlands) MF1-Toyota 1 lap.—Reuters