We hear from a highly reliable source that Ralf Schumacher has done something that will further endear him to his Japanese employers.

Whilst being shown around the manufacturing facility in Valenciennes, France, on Friday, the German, was told that the facility produces approximately 240,000 Yaris's a year.

The German then stunned his tour guide by asking if he could buy one.

At the end of the tour he was met by the French president of Toyota who laughed and said how funny it was, that Ralf had said he wanted buy one, to which the F1 racer made it clear that he wasn't joking. "I want to buy one today," he said, adding, a few moments later, "a black one please."

According to our source, the president's face "fell through the floor" as he thought Ralf had been joking, then realized that he wasn't.

We now hear that a black Yaris was purloined from the assembly line, to be handed over to the German today.

So, if you've ordered a black Yaris and the dealership advises you that there's a delay, blame Ralf.

Postscript: Told you so... this picture was taken late on Saturday afternoon, following the launch.