Current Mercedes AMG Formula One driver Nico Rosberg will hop behind the wheel of the 1954 Mercedes W196 race car driven to victory by Juan Manuel Fangio at the 1954 German Grand Prix at the Nürburgring during an exhibition event ahead of this year’s F1 race at the famous track, which takes place this weekend.

Unlike the current crop of F1 cars, however, Rosberg will take the W196 race car beyond the GP track and onto the notorious Nordschleife.

As mentioned, the W196 won the 1954 German Grand Prix as well as three other grands prix that year and five more in 1955. The 1954 race at the Nürburgring, in particular, marked the first time that the W196 race car ran with open wheels, a move prompted by Fangio after he experienced some problems with the famous streamlined bodywork at the previous British Grand Prix.

Stay tuned for our full coverage of the 2011 Formula 1 German Grand Prix this weekend.

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