Formula 1 News: Erich Zech Brings Michael Schumacher’s Ferrari 310B Back to Life

The Ferrari 310B, the iconic Formula 1 car driven by Michael Schumacher to victory in the 1997 Monaco Grand Prix, stole the show at The Racing Day in Assen. The car, now owned by 80-year-old Erich Zech, made its long-awaited debut on the track after a year of restoration.

Zech’s Passion and Determination

Zech, a German enthusiast, was thrilled to finally put the car through its paces, drawing applause from the crowds as he took the wheel. “It was phenomenal,” he said, beaming with pride. “What I loved the most and what touched me was the reaction of the fans. They stood up and applauded, which was great to witness.”

The Tag Heuer Formula 1 fan’s dream came true when he purchased the historic Ferrari 310B, and he’s determined to share the experience with others. “My main goal is to make the experience as close as possible to what it was back in the day with Schumacher,” he explained.

To complete the nostalgia, Zech even wears a replica of Schumacher’s helmet as he drives the car. The combination is eerily reminiscent of the Formula 1 legend’s heyday, with Zech being the only obvious difference.

Zech’s Remarkable Journey

What’s remarkable is that Zech, now 80, only started driving single-seaters last year. He credits Ingo Gerstl, an Austrian Boss GP driver, with helping him get his racing license and preparing him for the challenge of driving a Formula 1 car.

Zech’s journey to acquiring the Ferrari 310B is a fascinating one. He stumbled upon the opportunity while visiting a Ferrari dealership in Dubai with his daughter. A chance conversation with the sales chief led him to discover the car was up for sale, and he snapped it up without hesitation.

After overcoming technical hurdles, Zech finally got to drive the 310B at the Jim Clark Revival in Hockenheim earlier this year. “That was like Easter and Christmas fell on one day, so beautiful!” he exclaimed.

Sharing the Passion with Others

The 310B’s appearance at The Racing Day in Assen marked its third outing, with Zech hoping to return to the TT Circuit during the Classic GP in September and again next year. “I hope so! I’ve reached an age at which you can’t say what tomorrow brings, but if everything goes well, I’d love to come back,” he said.

For Zech, driving the Ferrari 310B is a childhood dream come true. As a lifelong Formula 1 fan, he used to watch Schumacher’s races on television and even attended a grand prix at Hockenheim. Now, he’s living his own Formula 1 dream, and it’s a story that will surely inspire other enthusiasts around the world.

“My main goal is to make the experience as close as possible to what it was back in the day with Schumacher.”

• Erich Zech

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