28 replies to this topic

[holiday]

Michael Schumacher drove the ETCC Alfa Romeo 156 Gta today in Mugello. As usually, the reigning Formula 1 world champion took the test very seriously. Benefiting from a pause of the Ferrari testing, he completed one lap in the Alfa, then came back into the pits to study the telemetry and exchange opinions with current ETCC leader Gabriele Tarquini and the Autodelta engineers. Back at the wheel, Schumacher completed about twenty laps, clocking the fastest in the impressive time of 2:02.76. “It was a nice experience,” he said afterwards. “I wish to thank Alfa Romeo for giving me this opportunity. The reason for this test was to point out how much Alfa Romeo and Ferrari are close. I also wish to help Sebastian (Stahl) in understanding the secrets of this car.” Sebastian Stahl, son of Schumacher’s father’s companion, also drove the Alfa 156 Gta for a few laps today, in view of the proper test he will sustain tomorrow. In the picture, courtesy of Alfa Romeo: Michael Schumacher and Gabriele Tarquini with the ETCC 156 Gtas at Mugello. source


Schumacher was faster than EC-Leader Gabriele Tarquini who had run the official testing car. "If he continues like that", said the Italian, "I am going to lose my job". [obviously with a twinkle of his eye] (source: Motorsportaktuell (print edition this week)









further sources (basically the same contents) :
http://www.touringcartimes.com/
http://www.eurostc.c...news.asp&id=503
http://www.eurostc.c...news.asp&id=505
http://www.motorspor...ID=129642&FS=F1
http://www.motorspor...ID=129690&FS=F1

[Bladrian]

The man. If you can drive, you can drive.

[Todd]

Great story. Thanks for posting it.

[mach4]

Originally posted by Bladrian
The man. If you can drive, you can drive.

But once a cheater, always a cheater.
From the picture we can see that Michael's car did not have nearly as many stickers as Tarquini's. This gave him a distinct weight advantage.

[Mosquito]

That's really cool. Just look at the detail, his name on the windows, the big #1, great.

Of course they knew how they could make excellent PR out of it, but still it's darn danky cool.

[wawawa]

Originally posted by mach4
But once a cheater, always a cheater.
From the picture we can see that Michael's car did not have nearly as many stickers as Tarquini's. This gave him a distinct weight advantage.

He's got more stickers on his suit, though ;)

[BuonoBruttoCattivo]

Gabriele was very impressed w/ MS's performance.
He told pit reporters that MS essentially drove the GTA to its "maximum physical limits".

MS was only required to drive two fast photo-op laps, but decided to go much longer than that.

[holiday]

Originally posted by wawawa
He's got more stickers on his suit, though ;)

whats with gabrieles suit anyway? is he fearful of insects?

[karlth]

Schumacher sure has improved in touring cars.

[diego]

It's cool, but not as cool as Montoya in a Monte Carlo!

[Bladrian]

Originally posted by diego
It's cool, but not as cool as Montoya in a Monte Carlo!

I wonder how JPM would do in that Alfa around Mugello? Two seconds off Michael's pace sounds about right ..... I'm glad we won't have the opportunity to see it, though, else we'd have to listen to interminable 'reasons' why he was slower.

[karlth]

Originally posted by Bladrian


I wonder how JPM would do in that Alfa around Mugello? Two seconds off Michael's pace sounds about right ..... I'm glad we won't have the opportunity to see it, though, else we'd have to listen to interminable 'reasons' why he was slower.

Montoya did better than Schumacher in touring cars so I expect that Juan would have been quicker.

[Todd]

Originally posted by karlth


Montoya did better than Schumacher in touring cars so I expect that Juan would have been quicker.

Michael Schumacher might not have ruined Formula 1, but he destroyed you.

[karlth]

Originally posted by Todd
Michael Schumacher might not have ruined Formula 1, but he destroyed you.

You are a strange little bird Todd.

[baddog]

Originally posted by karlth


You are a strange little bird Todd.

pot, I would like to inroduce you to kettle.. kettle, this is pot

Shaun

[wawawa]

Originally posted by baddog
pot, I would like to inroduce you to kettle.. kettle, this is pot

...and kettle's on pot too.

[SeanValen]

Michael, taking things to as much as possible to the maximum, brilliant

[Rene]

Thanks for posting this story
Would love to see video of it!!

[Chris G.]

Originally posted by karlth
Schumacher sure has improved in touring cars.

But obviously no match for Montoya in NASCAR.

[kouks]

Eddie reckons Michael is hung like a horse so he wins!

[Foxbat]

MS was crap in touring cars And he was beaten by his 'teammate' in F3000
Just thought I'd add an another unwarranted, biased and mis-informed slam to this thread. It wouldn't be a schumacher-thread if it didn't consist mostly of digs at the guy

[holiday]

****. I can't drive and now I've even misplaced my manual.

[maxell]

Originally posted by mach4
But once a cheater, always a cheater.
From the picture we can see that Michael's car did not have nearly as many stickers as Tarquini's. This gave him a distinct weight advantage.

Once a whiner, always a whiner!;)

[Maranello Man]

Originally posted by Todd


Michael Schumacher might not have ruined Formula 1, but he destroyed you.

10 POINTS!

[Alfisti]

Ahhhhhh a smuch a si try to get excited ... front wheel bloody drive :rolleyes"

just not right.

[Dudley]

Well given their respective f1 careers I think Tarquini expected a beating.

[speedmaster]

Give me one of those two Alfas and I will show them how to drive it fast.....

oh...sh(*)t... the alarm clock...

;)

[Nikolas Garth]

Originally posted by speedmaster
Give me one of those two Alfas and I will show them how to drive it fast.....

oh...sh(*)t... the alarm clock...

;)

And where was your hand?;)

[hedges]

Originally posted by Nikolas Garth
And where was your hand?;)

And why would you be interested in that???!!!;)