Ferrari will run a special Michael Schumacher tribute livery at its home Formula 1 race in Monza, marking the 30th anniversary of the German driver’s first season with the team.
The Ferrari SF-26 driven by Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc will feature an even redder appearance, with the white section removed from the engine cover. Both drivers’ number decals will use a retro font, while Schumacher’s signature will appear between the numbers and title sponsor HP’s logo.
The car will also feature gold detailing on the BBS wheel rims and Schumacher’s trademark white stars on its nose. Hamilton, Leclerc and Ferrari’s entire trackside team will wear specially designed clothing for the occasion.
Ferrari to display Schumacher’s iconic cars at Monza
The tribute livery draws inspiration from the F310 that Schumacher first raced for Ferrari in 1996. That car will be displayed throughout the Monza weekend alongside his final Ferrari, the 248 F1 from 2006, and the F2002, which became Schumacher’s and Ferrari’s most dominant car.
Schumacher’s former team-mate Rubens Barrichello and close friend Sebastian Vettel, who also drove for Ferrari, will drive the F2002 around Monza on Saturday and Sunday for a lap of honour celebrating his legacy.
“Michael’s time at Ferrari was about much more than just wins and titles: his relentless pursuit of perfection, attention to detail, discipline and ability to be a true team player helped create a culture that became one of the defining characteristics of the Scuderia,” the team stated.
“Thirty years later, that culture remains part of the way Ferrari approaches competition today. Monza is therefore the ideal place to celebrate this legacy, not just by looking back at what was achieved, but by recognising values that remain part of Ferrari today.”
Schumacher is Ferrari’s most experienced driver, having started 179 races for the team between 1996 and 2006. The 57-year-old German is also Ferrari’s most decorated driver, winning five of his seven world championships with the Maranello-based team between 2000 and 2004.
During Ferrari’s highly successful era under Jean Todt and Ross Brawn, Schumacher recorded 72 wins and 58 pole positions for the team.
Source: www.motorsport.com
