When news broke of Michael Schumacher's adventure behind the wheel of a taxi in Germany, most of us chuckled at the thought of the multiple-champion driver hustling a cab through the streets of Munich. German police were evidently not quite so amused, and have reportedly launched an investigation into the matter.
Both Schumacher and Tuncer Yilmax, the cabbie whose taxi Schumacher commandeered in exchange for fare plus a 100-Euro tip, are under investigation by the Coburg traffic authority for their respective involvement in the erstwhile-amusing affair.
"That was an offence against transport laws. We will have a hearing," said a local law enforcement official. Schumacher's response: "You just have to laugh about it". We'll go with Michael's approach, but keep you posted on what couldn't very well turn into the court-room drama of the year.
[Source: Autosport, photo by Lars Baron/Bongarts/Getty]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Zane @ Dec 17th 2007 9:46AM
Not that it's of major concern, but the name's "Yilmaz" and not "Yilmax". The guy is a cab driver and not some punk rock artist.
Delayedz @ Dec 17th 2007 9:47AM
They can't do a damn thing, it's hear say...
FThorn @ Dec 17th 2007 9:55AM
His face reminds me of Odo
jgp @ Dec 17th 2007 12:57PM
You're right. He looks a lot like Odo. In fact, he looks exactly like the older Odo from "Children of Time".
Even his eyes resemble Odo's, and they're Rene Auberjonois' only facial feature I recognize when he doesn't have his makeup on.
John R @ Dec 17th 2007 10:05AM
lame...
Pat @ Dec 17th 2007 10:07AM
We really need to crackdown on ex-F1 drivers commandeering Taxis.
I heard Jacques Villeneuve was seen taking a taxi out of a snowbank in Montreal this morning ;-)
ermax18 @ Dec 17th 2007 1:43PM
HAHAHA.. That is a good one.
Joshua @ Dec 17th 2007 10:07AM
Petty bureaucrats will aways attack extraordinary individuals. They can't help it, they're cogs in the system, and the system attacks what it doesn't dominate. Add in the fact that these are petty MUNICIPAL bureaucrats - the lowest form - and it's a wonder he didn't get arrested the moment he hailed the cab.
EJ25RUN @ Dec 17th 2007 10:16AM
police are good for 1 thing only......
i just dont know what it is though!
tankd0g @ Dec 17th 2007 10:21AM
When I read the first story I jokingly said the cabbie probably lost his permit and job. Whoops.
Neil Schelly @ Dec 17th 2007 10:35AM
I remember being bothered by the original report, so I'm glad to see someone is taking it more seriously. I hate hearing stories about how cool someone is for weaving through commuter traffic. I don't really care who you are - it's inappropriate and unsafe. The best drivers in the world still can't account for all the other cars' actions.
-N
John R @ Dec 17th 2007 11:37AM
wow, you must be really popular with the girls.
lighten up.
Karthik @ Dec 17th 2007 10:38AM
Apparently the driver is out trying to sell his mini-van. A 9 seater opel and he has received offers, one of which is for 60,000 Euros.
Only if my high school counselor had figured this one out ;)
Mr. Oak @ Dec 17th 2007 10:45AM
Heard a similar story about this Japanese cat, that did a late night Kamakazie run on the public highways in a Ferrari F-40 and had it filmed. Showed the film at party, a cop who was attending the party confiscated the tape as evidence, and arrested his host.
Alex @ Dec 17th 2007 10:54AM
"did a late night Kamakazie run"
wouldn't that mean that he killed himself by driving the f-40 into something?
Andrew @ Dec 17th 2007 10:57AM
I'm all for safety and what not, but what a bitch move on that cop's part.
Mr. Oak @ Dec 17th 2007 11:00AM
No, but he could have, 180 mph on a public hwy. and recorded it. Lost his license for 6 mos. and a little time in the slammer.
John @ Dec 17th 2007 11:00AM
That is how the Democrats want to make this country.
Soon every action you make will have to be approved by a bureaucrat.
jason @ Dec 17th 2007 11:02AM
They are still just pissed that he moved and are not soaking him for taxes...
Karthik @ Dec 17th 2007 11:07AM
How much are they going to fine him?
Seriously, if he broke the law by speeding (which I assume he did), he will probably pay a small fine and that will be that. The cabbie on the other hand...