THE packed grandstands in the sun soaked Eifel mountains yesterday, bore testimony to the great expectations the crowd have for their local hero and reigning world champion for tomorrow's European Grand Prix at the Nurburgring.

Michael Schumacher rewarded his fans with the second fastest overall time in yesterday's two free practice sessions, though the Ferrari driver never looked close to Damon Hill, who was half a second clear of all comers around his arch rival's home track.

Martin Brundle was in much better form than of late, ending up less than a tenth of a second off team mate Rubens Barrichello's seventh place time.

More in hope than expectation are Mercedes Benz, who have an entire grandstand for their guests and who would appreciate a result from Marlboro McLaren, in whom they have invested so heavily in the last two years with out much success. At least the third and fifth fastest times by Mika Hakkinen and David Coulthard are promising - although that could all change when the real practice session for the grid places begins this afternoon at 1.00pm local time.

Tomorrow's race is the first European event since the thrilling spectacle in bitterly cold conditions at this venue last October. Schumacher was peerless that day on a treacherously slippery track, while Hill's world was falling apart as he crashed out. Tomorrow it's a different story, as former grand prix winner John Watson explained: "Damon is a different man now, far more relaxed and confident. He even looks different and isn't trying as hard. His career seems to have entered that beautiful phase when winning is easy.

Hill, winner of the first three races of the season, was in command throughout the two one hour free sessions and said afterwards: "I'm looking forward to the race but I know it won't he easy to win. The others will all he trying hard to find that hit extra."

As for Schumacher, life at Ferrari is proof positive that more than driving skill is necessary in modern formula one racing. "I think a podium finish will be a good result," he said, after manhandling his Ferrari into second spot.

Eddie Irvine was 15th at the end of the day, but wasn't too downhearted: "I was running the car with a lot of fuel and just getting familiar with it," he said. Irvine will he running the full 1996 specifications car with its new rear end and gearbox, but has had no worthwhile testing since Argentina three weeks ago. I got two laps in Michael's car and four laps in my own," he said. Irvine is fourth in the world championship table and has reasonable expectations for this afternoon's qualifying. "I don't think I can get on the first two rows, but I hope to be fifth or sixth. The car is not had, I just need to get used to it."

In the Jordan camp, Martin Brundle was getting the car set up to suit his driving style. He finds the Jordan steering very heavy and is looking forward to the new power steering system that Gary Anderson is working on. Brundle was ninth fastest yesterday but there was little difference between himself and Barrichello, which was in marked contrast to the opening races of the season, where he has been a second or more off his young team mate's time.

Hakkinen was a fine third fastest in the Mercedes powered Marlboro McLaren, while his team mate Coulthard, was the most relieved man in the paddock after showing a return to form by being fifth fastest.

A full house is guaranteed for tomorrow's race - a complete sell out - and with the weather forecast predicting cool winds with rain, Hill may have to work harder than ever to keep the local hero at bay.