11/12/2007
NEWS STORY
Those of you who have ever used a black taxi cab in London may have heard the expression, "I had that (insert name of famous person) in the back last week", followed by blow-by-blow description of the conversation that ensued - or in the case of 'famous person' not talking to the driver, a character assassination of the first order.
Well, Tuncer Yilmaz, a taxi driver in Germany can go that one bit better, he can boast about who he had in the front of his cab last week, indeed, who he had driving his cab, seven-time World Champion, Michael Schumacher.
The Muenchner Abendzeitung reports that having overstayed during a visit to the village of village of Gehuelz in southern Germany, Schumacher and his family, including Ed, the Australian Shepherd puppy, left themselves short of time when it came to returning to the airport for their flight home. Consequently, the former Ferrari and Benetton star took the wheel of the taxi and made it back to the airport in time for he and his family to make their flight.
"I found myself in the passenger seat, which was strange enough," admitted Yilmaz, "but to have 'Schumi' behind the wheel of my cab was incredible. He drove at full throttle around the corners and overtook in some unbelievable places."
In addition to having given the driver a unique up-close demonstration of his legendary skills, Schumacher handed over a 100 euro tip.