Pistonheads had a chuckle last week when we read that F1 legend Michael Schumacher took the helm of his cab so that he and his family wouldn’t miss their flight home. The retired racer dashed 30 kilometers to the aerodrome in Coburg mit wife and kids in a nine-seat Opel minivan. The exotically named cabbie involved, one Truncer Yilmaz, reported that the journey went pretty much as you'd expect. “He drove at full throttle around the corners and over-took in some unbelievable places.” Cool, eh? According to AFP, the Bavaria police aren't amused; they've begun an official inquest into Mr. Toad's Wild Ride. “That was an offense against the Personnel Transport Act,” the Coburg traffic authority told German tabloid, Bild. “We will have a hearing with the taxi driver to resolve the matter.” (Jackboots at dawn?) Meanwhile, Herr Yilmaz is looking to cash in on his passenger's infamous exploits. In addition to receiving a €100 tip, Yilmaz has put his“Schumi taxi” up for sale. So far, he claims he has at least ten interested buyers, with one bid in excess of €63k. “I need the money,” the cabbie explained. “Because of the Schumi-Ride I could be in big trouble with the police.” Stimmt?
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If it was needed, proof that the driver matters much more than the car.
Michael Schumacher: Champion of Road Safety.
Isn’t Schumacher an extremley rich individual?
He must be a pretty down-to-earth guy if he goes to the airport in a minivan taxi and doesn’t take private/charter planes when he flies.
Michael Schumacher: Champion of Road Safety.
He probably is safer than the cab driver, even at extra-legal speed…
Now who wouldnt love a minivan GT series. Odysseys, Caravans, Siennas, Opels, Espaces – all duking it out – on stock running gear with only basic safety precautions (brakes, roll-cage).
Samir I think you have something there, I would pay to see that, but only in stock for no racing minivans like the nascar truck series.
How long did it take him to go the 30km to the airport compared to a normal cab ride?
I love it!
Let the cabbie go!!
He was taking the cab back to a charter/private plane as I recall.
Awesome story. If the police don’t like it, he should offer to do “community service”, driving around in police cars.
The picture of the Zafira is inaccurate. The Zafira only seats 7. The 9-seat Opel minivan that Schumacher drove would be the Vivaro, and even with a diesel it will easily do 160 km/h on the autobahn. Pretty impressive for such a huge box.