Top 5 races between Fernando Alonso and Michael Schumacher

#3 French Grand Prix 2006, Magny-Cours

Schumi was all smiles at France 2006

Perhaps, it won't be incorrect to hail the 2006 French Grand Prix as being amongst the best races of Michael Schumacher's career. This, make no mistake, has been a legendary career that has emerged as a yardstick to measure the greatness of other drivers on the grid.

Back in 2006, as Schumacher secured his eighth win at France, an all-time record, resulting into his 88th career victory then, he'd have to battle one man who stood as a thorn in his path- Fernando Alonso.

Early on in the race, Fernando Alonso jumped Schumacher's teammate, Felipe Massa, to emerge second on the grid right behind Michael Schumacher, the pole-sitter for the French Grand Prix.

And this would be the main narrative of an epic battle at the legendary Magny-Cours that would only grow in intensity and thrills come the fading moments of the French Grand Prix.

In the last 15 minutes, Alonso, all but ahead of track-leader Schumacher, came incredibly close to Michael with under 5 laps to go. At one point in time, Alonso all but passed Schumi on the main straight which is exactly where Schumacher fought back and stayed clear of the marauding charge of the Renault driver.

As fans stayed confused about which of the two cars was actually quicker, the Renault versus Ferrari show served levitation of a kind hitherto unseen in the chequered history of one of the most celebrated tracks on the roster.

Then with under 2 laps to go, Schumacher came under near obliteration from Alonso, the two going wheel-to-wheel heading into the hairpin bend. This is where Schumacher emerged with scintillating race-pace and finally managed to cross the chequered flag easily, his task eased owing to the tyrewear endured by Fernando's Renault.