Michael Schumacher will become the second driver to tackle the Nürburgring Nordschleife in a modern Formula One car after Nick Heidfeld’s 2007 lap in a BMW Sauber. Since 1976, when Niki Lauda suffered a horrible crash on the Nordschleife, the track was deemed too dangerous for Formula 1 racing and was taken out of the calendar.
Schumacher will drive a Mercedes AMG F1 W02 car on the Green Hell on May 19, just before the start of the 24-hour race around Nürburgring. It will be his way of thanking his German fans for their support throughout his long career. It will also be a PR stunt for Mercedes-Benz, as Schumacher’s outing will mark the first time a modern F1 Silver Arrow touches the Nürburgring Nordschleife since Juan Manuel Fangio’s victory in 1954.
“I have a lot of fond memories of the Nürburgring and am really looking forward to giving fans and friends from my home town of Kerpen, which is quite close to the Nürburgring, something to remember as they see me drive by,” said Schumacher.
“But it will be a fantastic experience for me too, driving along the Nordschleife in a state-of–the-art Formula 1 Silver Arrow, particularly in view of the fact that the Silver Arrow’s legend began here. 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,” he added.
A modern F1 car at the Nürburgring is something extraordinary to witness, as the twisty, narrow and bumpy track is a handful for any driver, especially when driving the fastest type of single-seater in the world. With its barriers that are so close to the tarmac, the merciless track leaves no room for error. Of course, Michael Schumacher doesn’t have to push 100 percent, but we’re sure the fans won’t have anything to complain about his performance.
If you can’t be at the Nürburgring on May 19, scroll down to see what you will miss by watching Nick Heidfeld’s 2007 Nordschleife laps in the BMW Sauber F1 car.
By Dan Mihalascu
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