The record-winning Formula 1 driver, Michael Schumacher (Mercedes GP Petronas), will be celebrating yet another historical first at the Grand Prix of Spa-Francorchamps: Twenty years after his debut in the premiere division of his sport, the 42 year old is still racing as an active pilot – an unprecedented show of longevity. His star launched its incredible ascent on 25 August 1991. On 28 August 2011 it will truly shine in gold.
We will present a very special helmet to him for his “Golden Twenties” anniversary, especially designed and manufactureredfor this event to commemorate the day in grand style – with 21-carat gold plating.
"I'm naturally tremendously flattered that Schuberth is dedicating this kind of helmet to me. Gold plating as homage to my racing debut 20 years ago in Spa and the golden years that followed – that's a grand idea and an expression of our strong partnership that's lasted for quite a while now", Michael Schumacher stated.
Marcel Lejeune, CEO at helmet maker Schuberth, said the following about the golden commemorative helmet: "Through the helmet we wanted to express to Michael our tremendous respect for his life's achievement. If there's one racer in this world worthy of a gilded helmet, then it's Michael Schumacher". Schumacher holds almost all records in the top division of his sport. With 91 Grand Prix victories, he is far and away the most successful pilot in history. The helmet is also Schuberth's thank you for a tremendous partnership. It has lead to the creation of one of the world's safest helmets.
Schuberth will make just twenty gold-plated 1:1 replica helmets – one for each of Schumacher's years in F1. There will also be additional replicas with gold paint. The replicas can be ordered in the Schubert online shop at www.shop.schuberth.com.
The original race helmet as well as the Replica helmets have been designed and hand painted by Michael´s designer Jens Munser. We did accompany the production process by camera and produced a “Making of”:
One of the 20 gold-plated replicas together with a certificate of authenticity signed by Michael Schumacher will be donated by Schuberth to the FIA "Action for Road Safety" campaign. The campaign aims at achieving a significant reduction in the number of traffic fatalities worldwide by 2020. This starts with improved accident prevention measures in developing and emerging countries, where 90 percent of all fatal traffic accidents worldwide occur. Michael Schumacher has been active for a number of years on behalf of the FIA foundation.
For Michael Schumacher, the Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps is one of his favourite playgrounds. He's gathered more wonderful memories there than anywhere else. Located just one hundred kilometres from his home town of Kerper, the 22-year-old took a sensational seventh place finish in Jordan to qualify for his first race, although he ended up quitting the contest early with damage to his clutch. One year later he won the F1 event in Belgium. And in 1995 he enjoyed what was perhaps the finest race of his career, moving up from a 16th place to take the chequered flag. He won six times in all in Spa. The past 20 years in Formula 1 were truly the "Golden Twenties" for Michael Schumacher.
Press:
- Official press release (PDF)
- High Resolution Pictures (Zip, 41 MB)
- Video (HD, Zip, 3,9 GB)
- Video (SD, Zip, 1,5 GB)
Press Contact:
Schuberth GmbH
Marc-Thorsten Lenze
Phone: 0049 391 8106 214
Email: lenze(at)schuberth.de
