A little about Lorina

For those who don't already know Lorina, motorsport isn't simply an interest or a hobby ... it has been a genuine passion and an important part of her life for many years.

She has been incredibly fortunate to become the custodian of a very special piece of Formula One history: an ex-Michael Schumacher 1992 Benetton B192.

Owning a car of this significance has never simply been about possessing it. For Lorina, it has been about preserving it, maintaining it and, most importantly, keeping it alive , allowing people to see it, hear it and experience it doing what it was built to do.

Historic racing cars belong to an extraordinary chapter of motorsport, and keeping them running requires enormous commitment, specialist knowledge and care. Lorina has always felt a responsibility to protect this car's history while continuing to share it with fellow motorsport enthusiasts and fans.

Sadly, during a recent event at Shelsley Walsh, everything changed within a matter of moments.

What Happened

The car had started playing up on that final afternoon run and, when we were released to drive back down the hill, the engine simply wouldn't restart. I was effectively freewheeling all the way back towards the paddock.

What I didn't know was that, behind me, a raging fire had already engulfed the rear of the car and was now just inches from the back of my head.

It wasn't until I caught a glimpse of smoke in my wing mirror that I realised something was very wrong.

There was no time to think ... only to react!

Although, looking back, I know I should have got out of the car immediately, the reality is that I still had no idea just how serious the fire had already become. Faced with such a sudden and unexpected emergency, I was momentarily frozen by shock. Those few seconds felt like an eternity.

One of my first thoughts was not to stop on the grass. I knew that if the dry grass caught alight, it could very quickly turn an already serious situation into a catastrophic one.

Instead, I headed for the nearest stretch of tarmac I could see, close to a marshal's post where I knew fire extinguishers would be available.

As soon as the car came to a halt, I discharged the onboard fire extinguisher before getting out. Once activated, it fills the cockpit and makes it almost impossible to see, so doing so while the car was still moving simply wasn't an option.

Thankfully, the marshals and safety team responded incredibly quickly and brought the situation under control.

Most importantly, I walked away virtually unscathed.

For that, I will always be enormously grateful.

The Aftermath

As the dust has settled, however, the true extent of the damage has become painfully clear.

It is far more extensive than we initially believed.

My team and engine builder are now reaching out to specialist historic Formula One engineers and other experts to carefully assess every part of the car - including the chassis, bodywork, engine and associated systems - to establish what can be saved, what can be restored and what may need to be painstakingly remanufactured.

With a historic Formula One car of this importance, this isn't simply a case of replacing damaged parts.

Everything has to be approached with extraordinary care and respect for the car's history, authenticity and provenance. The specialist work involved is considerable, and the scale and cost of the restoration ahead are becoming increasingly apparent.

But giving up on her simply isn't something I am prepared to contemplate.

Why This Car Matters

The Benetton B192 represents an extraordinary period in Formula One history and in the early career of Michael Schumacher.

The B192 was the car with which Schumacher achieved his first Formula One victory, at Spa-Francorchamps in 1992, beginning a story that would ultimately become one of the most remarkable careers the sport has ever seen.

To be entrusted with preserving a car connected with that history has always felt like a privilege.

My greatest wish now is to see this remarkable machine restored , not hidden away, but alive again, running again and being enjoyed by motorsport fans for many years to come.

Why We Are Asking for Your Help

This is not an easy thing for me to do.

Until now, the responsibility for maintaining and running the car has been mine, and one I have willingly undertaken because of how much preserving this piece of motorsport history means to me.

But the scale of the fire damage has created a restoration challenge far beyond anything we could reasonably have anticipated.

Following the incredible number of messages of support and encouragement we have received, friends and members of the motorsport community suggested creating this page so that those who genuinely want to help can become part of bringing the car back.

Every contribution, whatever its size, will go towards the specialist assessment, repair, restoration and remanufacture required to return the car as faithfully as possible to its former condition.

And for anyone who isn't in a position to contribute, simply sharing this page with fellow Formula One and motorsport enthusiasts would mean an enormous amount to us.

We intend to document the journey and share updates as the assessment and restoration progress, so everyone supporting the project can follow the car's road back.

This Story Isn't Over Yet

Looking back at what happened, I realise just how incredibly fortunate I was.

To walk away virtually unharmed , albeit badly shaken and heartbroken by the condition of the car , is something I will never take for granted.

I also want to say a heartfelt thank you to everyone who has messaged, called, stopped to speak to me or simply sent words of encouragement. Your kindness has meant more than I can possibly put into words, and both my team and I are incredibly grateful.

There is undoubtedly a long and difficult road ahead.

But this car has survived more than three decades as part of Formula One history.

We would dearly love to make sure its story doesn't end here.

Thank you for helping us bring this remarkable piece of motorsport history back to life.

Lorina & Team