Michael Schumacher should enjoy his success while he can because soon he will be staring up at ... sweet FA.

The FA I'm talking about is Renault driver Fernando Alonso, the instant star of the season.

It's not often I rave about a young driver but the Spaniard appears to have it all as his results reflect - three podiums and two other points finishes in five races.

The guy is mega and there's no doubt he is the new Schumacher. He is the driver who is going to take the world crown away from the Ferrari star.

Although there is little fear of it happening this season because the Ferrari is so much quicker than Alonso's Renault, I wouldn't bet against it for next year.

Everything Alonso has achieved confirms my initial thoughts when I saw him do his qualifying run in the opening race in Australia. He was oozing with confidence and managed to out-pace team-mate Jarno Trulli.

Schumacher will be seeking his third successive win in tomorrow's Austrian Grand Prix but my money is on team-mate Rubens Barrichello.

If you remember, Barrichello had to move to one side and hand Schumacher second place at the A1 Ring two years ago and then last season all hell broke lose when he gifted the Ferrari No1 victory as they approached the chequered flag.

There are not many circuits where Barrichello is able to get the better of the five-times world champion but this is one of them and he should make the most of it.

With team orders now outlawed - and the whole world looking to see if Ferrari are stupid enough to repeat the shabby performances of the past - Barrichello should be free to go for it.

One of Schumacher's strengths is his amazing speed entering a corner but that counts for little here.

Ferrari will be giving their new car its second outing but I have to say it didn't look that impressive in Spain or as quick as we had been led to believe it would be.

But it was good enough for Schumacher to win and I am sure the team told him to dictate the pace and not let rip just in case any teething problems developed.