Last year, BMW broke the compact production car record at the Nurburgring with an M2 CS. Behind the wheel during that record-setting lap was BMW’s in-house hot-shoe Jörg Weidinger, with a time 7:25.53. And while that record still technically stands, Weidinger’s lap was just beaten by German magazine Sport Auto‘s test driver Christian Gebhardt.
Gebhardt’s lap wasn’t much quicker, at 7:25. 22. Three tenths over almost 13 miles is such a narrow margin of victory, it could have been a helpful breeze that did it. Still, it’s wild that someone else beat BMW’s own time in its own car and it proves just how good Gebhardt is at the wheel. And you get to watch him do it in this onboard video from Sport Auto.
The only mechanical difference between Gebhardt’s test car and Weidinger’s was tires. Weidinger’s was stock, so it ran on Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 rubber, while Gebhardt’s used Pirelli P Zero Trofeo RS tires. Could that have made a difference and given the Sport Auto driver an unfair advantage? Perhaps, but Michelin fanboys would tell you otherwise. Maybe Gebhardt was actually at a mechanical disadvantage? Either way, he drove the hell out of that car, as did Weidinger.
Watching the onboard video reminds me that racing drivers are not mere mortals. It isn’t just the skill, it’s the bravery. There are several points in the video where Gebhardt takes both hands off the wheel during a straight and rolls his sleeves up a bit. Sure, it’s a straight but the casual nature with which he did it showed so much confidence in the car and himself.
Speaking of confidence in the car, the M2 CS is a remarkably capable machine. Despite being rear-wheel drive and having 523 horsepower and 479 lb-ft, it’s so well controlled and stable. On paper, it seems like it’d be a handful on track but the onboard video makes it look easy. Gebhardt doesn’t seem to be fighting it or sawing at the wheel too much. He just picks his point, turns the wheel, and the car does what he asks for the most part. There are certainly valid complaints about the new M2 being too clinical and heavy but there’s no arguing with just how competent the M2 CS is. Now let’s see if BMW wants its bragging rights back and sends the M2 CS out for another lap. Or maybe it’ll just wait for the M2 xDrive.
