Team McLaren Mercedes And Steinmetz Unveil Diamond F1 Steering Wheel

Posted by www.eMercedesBenz.com 
In keeping with this month's apparent Mercedes and diamonds theme,  
Team McLaren Mercedes and world-renowned diamond cutter Steimetz have  
unveiled their latest collaboration today, an F1 steering wheel  
featuring a diamond-encrusted Mercedes-star in the center.

The steering wheel, which was built in preparation for the 2006  
Monaco Grand Prix, has been "emblazoned with round, brilliant cut,  
white, natural diamonds, expertly cut by Steinmetz, creating a visual  
impact inside the cockpit never seen before," and will be used in the  
next race by both Kimi Raikkonen as well as his teammate, Juan Pablo  
Montoya.

To unveil the new steering wheel, Steinmetz commissioned the creation  
of a replica Team McLaren Mercedes MP4-21 fashioned from two tons of  
ice, into which Kimi "The Iceman" Raikkonen climbed before presenting  
the companies' latest venture.

According to Nir Livnat, CEO of Steinmetz, "We are extremely proud to  
have worked with Team McLaren Mercedes on such a truly bespoke and  
unique creation. Not only is it personal to the driver and  
fundamental in the racing of the car, but it also shows the expert  
level of patience, craftsmanship and engineering that is necessary  
for cutting and polishing diamonds. We hope that the steering wheels  
help the Team McLaren Mercedes drivers steer their way to another  
victory this year."

Now if only Steinmetz could send me that 3.50 carat D VVS1 ideally- 
cut Asscher I've been trying to find for my wife...

For more info, you can find the full details in the press release below.


OFFICIAL PRESS RELEASE


Team McLaren Mercedes and Steinmetz unveiled their latest collaboration


Monte Carlo, Wednesday, 24th May 2006:
Team McLaren Mercedes and Steinmetz unveiled their latest  
collaboration earlier today in the build-up to the 2006 Monaco Grand  
Prix.

Steinmetz has worked in conjunction with Team McLaren Mercedes’  
engineers to manufacture a Diamond steering wheel. The Mercedes-Benz  
star on both Kimi Raikkonen's and Juan Pablo Montoya's steering  
wheels have been emblazoned with round, brilliant cut, white, natural  
diamonds, expertly cut by Steinmetz, creating a visual impact inside  
the cockpit never seen before.

To announce the creation of the Diamond steering wheels, Steinmetz  
commissioned the creation of an exact replica of this year’s Team  
McLaren Mercedes Formula 1 car, made from two tonnes of ice, into  
which Kimi Raikkonen, the ‘Iceman’, climbed. The ‘Iceman’, in his ice  
car, with his ‘iced’ steering wheel – a suitable way to announce to  
the world Steinmetz and Team McLaren Mercedes’ new Formula 1 creation.

Steinmetz, creators of the world’s finest diamonds, and Team McLaren  
Mercedes are both leaders in their respective fields, which although  
very different, rely on many similar principles. Flawless  
engineering, groundbreaking design and unparalleled performance are  
all traits the partners share in common.

Nir Livnat, CEO of Steinmetz, “We are extremely proud to have worked  
with Team McLaren Mercedes on such a truly bespoke and unique  
creation. Not only is it personal to the driver and fundamental in  
the racing of the car, but it also shows the expert level of  
patience, craftsmanship and engineering that is necessary for cutting  
and polishing diamonds. We hope that the steering wheels help the  
Team McLaren Mercedes drivers steer their way to another victory this  
year”

This collaboration marks the continuation of the relationship between  
Team McLaren Mercedes and Steinmetz which began in Monaco, with the  
creation of Steinmetz’s Diamond Helmets last year. The helmets have  
now been sold and $400.000 have been raised for four charities  
nominated by Kimi, Juan Pablo and Ron Dennis; 'The Senna Foundation',  
'Tommy's', 'Formula Smiles' and 'SOS Kinderdorf International'.


For more Mercedes-Benz news and information, visit  
www.eMercedesBenz.com.