- The Pits
Schumacher to drive Nordschleife in modern F1 car
Michael Schumacher will drive a lap of the Nordschleife in a 2011 Mercedes Formula One car as part of a promotional event for the Nurburging 24 hours.
The demonstration run will take place on May 19 with Schumacher at the wheel of his Mercedes W02 in order "to say thank you to his fans for their years of loyal support during his F1 career". The 14-mile Nordschleife was last used for a Formula One race in 1976 but still plays host to the 24-hour sports car race with the current F1 track attached.
Schumacher drove part of the Nordschleife in a 1950s Mercedes W196 when F1 last raced at the Nurburgring in 2011, but said he is looking forward to taking on the mighty circuit in a modern F1 car.
"I have a lot of fond memories of the Nurburgring and am really looking forward to giving fans and friends from my home town of Kerpen, which is quite close to the Nurburgring, something to remember as they see me drive by," he said.
"But it will be a fantastic experience for me too, driving along the Nordschleife in a state-of-the-art Formula One 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!"
The last lap completed by a contemporary Formula One car was in 2007 when Nick Heidfeld drove a 2006-spec BMW-Sauber around the circuit.
© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
