On 19 May, prior to the 2013 24 Hours of Nürburgring race, and as a means of appreciation for the support from German motorsports fans, 7-time Formula One World Champion Michael Schumacher will pilot a the 2011 Mercedes-Benz AMG Petronas F1 W02 Silver Arrow around the Nürburgring Nordschleife. This will be the first time since Juan Manuel Fangio’s victory on 1st August 1954 that a modern Formula 1 Silver Arrow will be driven on Nordschleife.
The last time someone drove an F1 car on the North Loop was in 2007 when Nick Heidfeld he steered a BMW Sauber car around it. But his car rode on hard tyres and he had to co-operate with the filming crew which kind of scrummed off some speed. Schumacher might be expected to do the same.
In 2011 Schumi also drove an exhibition lap in a classic Silver Arrow Stromlinie W196 and in 2007 he drove a Ferrari prototype on the Nordschleife.
The current record stands at 6:25.91, a record established by Stefan Bellof in a Porsche 956 in 1983 in its current configuration and length. Niki Lauda drove the original length 6:58.6 in 1975, in a Ferrari 312T.)
Michael Schumacher retired last year but his partnership, as the brand ambassador continues with Mercedes-Benz.
