Michael Schumacher, seven-time F1 driver's champ and so fast he had to retire twice to make it stick, will soon be back in an F1 car--this time on the Nürburgring Nordschleife.

Schumacher will pilot a 2011 Mercedes W02 F1 car around the long, treacherous course on May 19, according to SpeedTV.

The trip to the 'Ring will be significant for Schumacher, to be sure, but it's also the first time a new-ish Silver Arrow has been around the course since 1954.

Ostensibly, the lap is an exhibition--simply allowing the German driver to drive a German F1 car around Germany's most legendary track. But anytime Schumacher gets behind the wheel, you have to wonder: will he set yet another record?

The only other modern F1 lap of the 'Ring was Nick Heidfeld's turn in a BMW Sauber in 2007. Those laps were slowed by intentional setup choices (hard tires, ride height, and a speed limiter), as well as pauses for video scenes. The overall lap record, set by Stefan Bellof in a Porsche 956, of 6:11.13, could be where Schumacher sets his sights.

Schumacher will run his lap of the Nürburgring Nordschleife as part of the ceremonies of the Nürburgring 24 Hours endurance race.