News: Schumacher’s Mercedes C-class safety test contains a message for us all (video)

“FIRST: SAFETY. Safety for yourself, safety for people around ‒ not only inside the car.”

Heard today these words spoken by Michael Schumacher, just days before his fateful skiing accident, carry extra weight.

They were spoken by the driver on a promotional video, above, released last December. The film shows Schumacher in his role as brand ambassador and development partner for Mercedes-Benz. The seven-time World Champion and former Mercedes F1 team driver is seen putting the safety features in a development  C-class saloon, including Collision Prevention Assist, Active Lane Keeping Assist and Pre-safe Brake with Pedestrian Detection, under great scrutiny.

Placing his brand ambassador status to one side, he appears genuinely impressed with the model’s ability to handle emergency situations.

Schumacher’s words were spoken in the relative security of a state-of-the-art Mercedes but regardless, they are a reminder, from someone who knows, that safety comes first. Which is why Driving thought you should hear them again.