The Mercedes F1 team has announced that the inaugural German FOTA Fans' Forum will be held in Stuttgart ahead of the German Grand Prix weekend.

The event will be held on the afternoon of Wednesday 18 July at the Mercedes-Benz Niederlassung Stuttgart, and will offer German fans the opportunity to quiz Michael Schumacher, Nico Rosberg, Nico Hülkenberg, Timo Glock and Norbert Haug.

The inaugural Stuttgart FOTA Fans' Forum marks the beginning of a very special home race weekend for Mercedes-Benz. This year marks the 111th anniversary of Mercedes Motorsport, which began with victory for Wilhelm Werner at the 1901 Nice Speed Weeks at the wheel of a Mercedes 35 PS. Exactly two weeks after the anniversary, Nico Rosberg scored the 111th Grand Prix victory for Mercedes at the 2012 Chinese Grand Prix - in his 111th Formula One start.

Ticket holders for the 2012 German Grand Prix in Hockenheim will also have the opportunity to enjoy unique experiences with Mercedes-Benz across the race weekend. In addition to unrivalled views from the Mercedes Grandstand, fans can get to know the new Mercedes-Benz A-Class with a special driving experience. A full entertainment programme on the stage behind the Mercedes Grandstand and the Mercedes-Benz Experience World offer free fun and will feature plenty of surprises.

"It's great to begin the German Grand Prix weekend with the Fans' Forum," said Michael Schumacher. "That shows we've got our priorities right. And it's especially good that our German colleagues from other teams will be there, too. It's nice for Mercedes to be taking an active role and hosting the event for the other guys."

"It's something really special to kick off the race weekend on Wednesday with the Fans' Forum in Stuttgart," added Nico Rosberg. "I'm looking forward to seeing the German fans and it's a great opportunity to meet them talk about Formula One. Make sure you're there, it's going to be worth it!"

"Our home Grand Prix in Hockenheim will be one of the highlights of the racing season," said Norbert Haug, Vice President, Mercedes-Benz Motorsport. "We are delighted to be offering German F1 fans the opportunity to put their questions to four of our country's five F1 drivers on Wednesday afternoon. Hockenheim is one of our sport's special theatres - and the views and panorama from the Mercedes Grandstand are fantastic. We are going all out to provide the fans with an experience to remember at the race weekend, and we hope there will be a few reasons for them to celebrate, too, on Sunday evening."

The Stuttgart FOTA Fans' Forum will offer places for 200 pre-registered fans. Registration can be completed through the following website.

After registering their interest in attending, fans will receive a confirmation email which will serve as their proof of attendance upon arrival. Please note that the Fans' Forum will be held in German.