"Sunday driver": When Michael Schumacher and 2x F1 world champion collaborated for a Mercedes commercial

In 2010, Mercedes Benz released a hilarious commercial featuring seven-time world champion Michael Schumacher and two-time champion, Mike Hakkinen. The genius idea to bring two on-track rivals together for an advertisement worked wonders as fans appreciated the creativity.

Schumacher, one of the most successful F1 drivers, had a close relationship with Mercedes. He spent his early days in the team's junior program before making his debut with Jordan in 1991. Moreover, after ending his historic partnership with Ferrari, the German driver returned to the Silver Arrows in 2010.

On the other hand, Mike Hakkinen, a former two-time world champion, drove a Mercedes engine in his stint with McLaren. Hence, given the two rivals' common background, the German car manufacturer devised an innovative plan to bring Schumacher and Hakkinen together for a TV commercial shoot.

The advertisement that was released in 2010 showed Schumacher driving ahead of Hakkinen in a Mercedes 190 SL model. The latter was getting restless behind the wheel of an E-Class T-Model, and as he passed the seven-time world champion, he said:

"Sunday Driver"

However, in a twist, a woman passed both the drivers in a Mercedes G-Class, igniting a hilarious moment.

Mika Hakkinen's career was short-lived as he retired after the 2001 season. However, Michael Schumacher went on to stay in F1 for close to two decades. After success in Benetton and Ferrari, the legend switched to the Silver Arrows in 2010 only to be replaced by Lewis Hamilton in 2013.

Schumacher's post-retirement life took a tragic turn as he met with a skiing accident in 2013. The near-fatal fall caused severe injuries to his head. Since then, his family has kept him in a private facility where only close friends and family are allowed to set foot.

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When Michael Schumacher's work ethic inspired Nico Rosberg

Michael Schumacher with Nico Rosberg (Image Source: Getty)

Former F1 legend Michael Schumacher made a stunning return to F1 after a three-year hiatus as he joined Mercedes in 2010. Nico Rosberg was his teammate at that time, and he was blown away by the former legend's work ethic. Speaking to Forbes, he said:

"He’s been out of the sport for two years, had a happy life, came back, and just the work ethic when he came back was phenomenal. The way he was preparing himself physically, the warrior attitude he brought every day was phenomenal.”

Schumacher had come to the Silver Arrows with a legendary aura as a seven-time world champion. However, his three-year stint was largely underwhelming as he was replaced by Lewis Hamilton in 2013.

Meanwhile, Rosberg, inspired by Schumacher, won his first world championship in 2016 and announced a shocking retirement. He then moved into the broadcasting industry as an analyst and host.