15 June 2009 - 10:00
Big Schu vs 599 HGTE
See more pics of Schuey and the 599 HGTE
"So how do you fancy taking the new 599 HGTE for a few laps of Fiorano?"
That's the sort of phone call you get if you're (a) a seven-time F1 world championship or (b) called Michael Schumacher. Or both.
At Ferrari's behest, Big Schu has just spent an afternoon putting the harder, faster new 599 through its paces at Fiorano. He put in some 20 laps around Ferrari's test circuit and... yes, you want to know how fast he went, don't you?
Irritatingly, Ferrari won't tell us. We know that the 599 HGTE has lapped Fiorano in 1m26.5s - a frankly insane time, over three seconds quicker than the F40, half a second quicker than the F430 or F50 - but Schumi's lap times are being kept firmly under wraps.
Why? Top Gear demands answers. Has Big Schu lost his touch? Has he got - whisper it now - a bit slow? Was there a malfunction in Schumi's computer-like driving brain?
None of this seems plausible. Big Schu doesn't do slow. Or malfunctioning. Surely the reason they're not publishing his times is because he was just... too fast? How about that for a conspiracy theory, eh?
Anyhow. Take a look at the cheesy photos of Big Schu and the HGTE in our gallery - and add your captions below...
Want to comment on this?
The Big Schu... going too slow? I highly doubt that! I wouldn't be surprised if it's because he shot that thing around faster than an Enzo! Maybe Ferrari are just too embarrassed that some retired German bloke in a GT car is faster than a mid-engined supercar!
You are about to report a comment for breaking our Code of Conduct.
Please note, we will not remove a post just because you disagree with what is being said.
This form can only be used for reporting a comment. If you want to contact us please go to our contact us page.
The Guy called himself Fiat500ruless!! may be right. This awesome 599 HGTE machine could be faster than Enzo, so Ferrari doesn't want to compromise it. It's like if Porsche would put an engine from 997 Carrera into production Cayman/Boxster and it woul be as fast as lets say 997 GT3 RS. It's simply against their policy.
You are about to report a comment for breaking our Code of Conduct.
Please note, we will not remove a post just because you disagree with what is being said.
This form can only be used for reporting a comment. If you want to contact us please go to our contact us page.
Bet it's faster than the Enzo, that's why they wont release the times. Schumi must have absolutely flown round
You are about to report a comment for breaking our Code of Conduct.
Please note, we will not remove a post just because you disagree with what is being said.
This form can only be used for reporting a comment. If you want to contact us please go to our contact us page.
i agree with ben27.
You are about to report a comment for breaking our Code of Conduct.
Please note, we will not remove a post just because you disagree with what is being said.
This form can only be used for reporting a comment. If you want to contact us please go to our contact us page.
Yep Big Schu and the 599 HGTE are quicker than the Enzo.
You are about to report a comment for breaking our Code of Conduct.
Please note, we will not remove a post just because you disagree with what is being said.
This form can only be used for reporting a comment. If you want to contact us please go to our contact us page.
Yep Big Schu and the 599 HGTE are quicker than the Enzo.
You are about to report a comment for breaking our Code of Conduct.
Please note, we will not remove a post just because you disagree with what is being said.
This form can only be used for reporting a comment. If you want to contact us please go to our contact us page.
Sorry for the double. ^ But I'm right twice
You are about to report a comment for breaking our Code of Conduct.
Please note, we will not remove a post just because you disagree with what is being said.
This form can only be used for reporting a comment. If you want to contact us please go to our contact us page.
I'm thinking that they don't want to publish lap times because this isn't any normal 599 HGTE, underneath the bonnet is either their new E85 engine, or a prototype of their hybrid engine thats under development.
You are about to report a comment for breaking our Code of Conduct.
Please note, we will not remove a post just because you disagree with what is being said.
This form can only be used for reporting a comment. If you want to contact us please go to our contact us page.
This car is nice
You are about to report a comment for breaking our Code of Conduct.
Please note, we will not remove a post just because you disagree with what is being said.
This form can only be used for reporting a comment. If you want to contact us please go to our contact us page.
Anyone else notice how the camera position in picture 2 is quite familliar? Yep, replace Scuey with Clarkson and you could have a TG test! Seriously though, why haven't Ferrari released the times? Its not as if they're going to be bad, with the most successful F1 driver of all time behind the wheel!
You are about to report a comment for breaking our Code of Conduct.
Please note, we will not remove a post just because you disagree with what is being said.
This form can only be used for reporting a comment. If you want to contact us please go to our contact us page.
They must have used Italian timing system. It broke down and burst in flames during first lap.
You are about to report a comment for breaking our Code of Conduct.
Please note, we will not remove a post just because you disagree with what is being said.
This form can only be used for reporting a comment. If you want to contact us please go to our contact us page.
If he did have some bad lap times he could just do what the reigning F1 champ does and blame the car..
You are about to report a comment for breaking our Code of Conduct.
Please note, we will not remove a post just because you disagree with what is being said.
This form can only be used for reporting a comment. If you want to contact us please go to our contact us page.
i think the 1:25.6 might BE shumachers time but ferrari doesent say it is so people think it can go faster.
You are about to report a comment for breaking our Code of Conduct.
Please note, we will not remove a post just because you disagree with what is being said.
This form can only be used for reporting a comment. If you want to contact us please go to our contact us page.
15th comment woo!
You are about to report a comment for breaking our Code of Conduct.
Please note, we will not remove a post just because you disagree with what is being said.
This form can only be used for reporting a comment. If you want to contact us please go to our contact us page.
Big up da Shuey!
You are about to report a comment for breaking our Code of Conduct.
Please note, we will not remove a post just because you disagree with what is being said.
This form can only be used for reporting a comment. If you want to contact us please go to our contact us page.
Hahaha!!! Everyone knows the Big Heavyweight Schumac absolutely MURDERED the 1:26.5, so by publishing his time, it would be like Ferrari shooting themselves in their own foot....Schuey making it known he's still the original don of F1!!
You are about to report a comment for breaking our Code of Conduct.
Please note, we will not remove a post just because you disagree with what is being said.
This form can only be used for reporting a comment. If you want to contact us please go to our contact us page.
Everyone saying that this is faster than an Enzo is wrong. Ferrari have no reason not to publish the time if it was, as all Enzos are long gone from Maranello and they will be getting ready to roll out a new one in a couple years time. Also, and I say this as a huge Michael Schumacher fan, it's highly unlikely that he would be faster than a Ferrari road-car test driver. When the 360 was new he was nearly a second slower than their main test driver, and that was at the peak of his career. Not that it matters as he still holds the lap record around Fiorano by a sizable margin.
You are about to report a comment for breaking our Code of Conduct.
Please note, we will not remove a post just because you disagree with what is being said.
This form can only be used for reporting a comment. If you want to contact us please go to our contact us page.
Big Shu is getting slower: Remeber Race of Champions 2008 and the promised Loeb VS Shu battle. He was eliminated in the second round by an American-series racer.
You are about to report a comment for breaking our Code of Conduct.
Please note, we will not remove a post just because you disagree with what is being said.
This form can only be used for reporting a comment. If you want to contact us please go to our contact us page.
Schumacher ripped it up, defo. He's a seven-time F1 world championship. Then again he might not of done it but who care's> He is a fast, clever driver. He'll never lose his touch behind the wheel.
You are about to report a comment for breaking our Code of Conduct.
Please note, we will not remove a post just because you disagree with what is being said.
This form can only be used for reporting a comment. If you want to contact us please go to our contact us page.
Picture 1 - Schuey has finally found a use for rear-view mirrors on a Fezza. Picture 2 - Schuey checking his six. Picture 3 - Schuey setting a new world speed record - driving backwards. Picture 4 - Schuey looking smug: what will the people at he carwash think of all the bugs on the rear window?
You are about to report a comment for breaking our Code of Conduct.
Please note, we will not remove a post just because you disagree with what is being said.
This form can only be used for reporting a comment. If you want to contact us please go to our contact us page.
Advertisement
Advertisement feature
Discover the new Insignia VXR
The Vauxhall Insignia VXR is in showrooms now. To read more about the car and for your chance to win an iPod Touch, click here.
Test Driven
.jpg?p=080926_03:52)
Audi TT Roadster
Forget the hyperdrive quattro versions. This honest, no frills TT is one of the best you can buy.
Advertisement
Open Car Bar
ManelGabirra commented on this article
15 June 2009
Yeah right! Schumi going slow!? Let's face it, Schumi going slow is like The Stig without his helmet. So the conclusion is that Schumi killed the lap time at Fioriano.
Link to this comment
Report this comment
You are about to report a comment for breaking our Code of Conduct.
Please note, we will not remove a post just because you disagree with what is being said.
This form can only be used for reporting a comment. If you want to contact us please go to our contact us page.