Classic: On the tracks of Rudolf Caracciola

Born in Remagen in 1901, Rudolf Caracciola was a virtuoso at the wheel of pre-war racing cars. In his career, he scored 144 victories in more than 200 starts and became European GP champion three times with Mercedes-Benz. On January 28, 1928, the German achieved the still inconceivable and valid speed record of 432.7 km/h with a streamlined Mercedes W125 on a freeway.

Three-time winner of the legendary Grand Prix of Bern
Rudolf Caracciola was also the only driver to win the Bern GP three times before the war. He ended his career in 1952 after an accident on the Bremgarten circuit. With his second wife Alice, he spent the years of the Second World War and the rest of his life until his death in 1959 in Lugano. That is also where the 2nd Passione Caracciola is headed, starting on June 15 with the briefing and IWC Welcome Dinner in Zurich.

Lap of honor on the famous Bremgarten track
The following day, the first stage will start at 8 a.m. from Regensdorf to Bern. There, the participants will take a lap of the legendary GP circuit, visit the Federal Palace and dine in the evening. This exclusivity is reflected in the further choice of the route and the locations for the dignified get-together. On Friday, starting at 8 a.m., the route will leave Bern via Interlaken, Grimsel and Furka to Andermatt and from there on Saturday via the Nufenen to Ambrì, where at 11 a.m. the AMG Track Day will provide action at the airfield. From 2:30 p.m., the convoy of 58 vehicles - this number corresponds to the years of Caracciola's life - will arrive in Lugano. There, a visit to the gravesite of the unforgotten Silver Arrow pilot and the award ceremony at the Julius Baer Gala Dinner at the LAC Lugano will form the glittering finale.

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Photos: Mercedes-Benz archive, Passione Caracciola