Fresh off officialising his partnership with Mercedes that is said to go beyond motorsports, it’s been confirmed that Michael Schumacher will drive a Mercedes AMG Petronas F1 W02 around the Nurburgring’s legendary Nordschleife circuit. What a way to go ‘off track’, Schumi.
The seven-time F1 world champion will post a demonstration lap around the North Loop in a 2011 Grand Prix car in the lead-up to the 24-hour race around the Nürburgring, in what is to be the first outing of a modern F1 Silver Arrow at the track since Juan Manuel Fangio’s victory for the team in 1954.
Understandably jubilant of the announcement, Schumacher said, “I have a lot of fond memories of the Nurburgring and posting a lap in a modern Silver Arrow on the most beautiful and most testing circuit in the world, what a brilliant mix – it’s every motor racing driver’s dream!”
Schumacher and ex-Mercedes GP teammate Nico Rosberg last ran a classic W196 Silver Arrow round the Nordschleife in 2011, while Nick Heidfeld lapped the track in its current layout in a 2006 BMW F1 car in 2007, the last time a contemporary GP car took on the Green Hell.
To recap, the Red Baron will be driving a modern Silver Arrow around the Green Hell. Can Schumacher break the Nordschleife’s all-time track record, currently held by his childhood racing idol Stefan Bellof? Only time will tell. May 19, to be exact.
Looking to sell your car? Sell it with Carro.
If he runs all out, this could be a fastest lap record. 5 minute mark lap run.
Ahhh…the late Stefan Bellof. My childhood memory will forever be seared by the video images from the onboard camera showing Bellof struggling to open the doors of his Porsche 956/962 which was on fire.