For
Nico Rosberg and
Michael Schumacher, the German Grand Prix at the Nürburgring this weekend represents the second home race in succession for the team.
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| Photo: Mercedes-Benz |
In preparation for the event, they made a special journey along the legendary Nordschleife. The two drivers both covered a section of the route in separate W 196 Formula 1 racing cars.
Schumacher took the wheel of a W 196 ‘Stromlinie’ (streamlined model) while Rosberg drove a W 196 with open wheels.
The W 196 was the first Formula 1 Silver Arrow. Statistics for the car in the 1954 and 1955 seasons: 17 podiums, 9 wins, 9 fastest laps, 8 pole positions and two world titles, both for Juan Manuel Fangio.
In addition to the streamlined version, there was also a single-seater with open wheels from the 1954 Nürburgring race onwards. The car was powered by an eight-cylinder inline engine generating 257 horsepower (1954) and 280 horsepower (1955). It reached a top speed of 280 290 kilometres per hour (175 - 180mph).
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| Photo: Mercedes-Benz |
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| Photo: Mercedes-Benz |
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| Photo: Mercedes-Benz |
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| Photo: Mercedes-Benz |
