F1 legend Michael Schumacher will go down in historical past as one of many biggest racing drivers of all time.
However Schumacher’s life modified dramatically when he suffered a horrific snowboarding accident on December 29, 2013.
The seven-time world champion has been out of the general public eye ever since and his well being situation has been saved personal, together with his household solely issuing uncommon updates.
What occurred to Schumacher?
Schumacher was left in a crucial situation after an accident whereas snowboarding together with his son Mick within the French ski resort of Meribel on December 29 2013.
The then 44-year-old had solely simply retired from F1 for a second time on the finish of the earlier season, having returned to the game with Mercedes between 2010 and 2012.
Schumacher, who was sporting a helmet when he fell and hit his head towards a rock, suffered critical mind trauma and was in a coma when he arrived at a French hospital.
He underwent rapid surgical procedure earlier than a second operation throughout the night time.
Germany’s Bild newspaper reported on the time that Schumacher’s situation had worsened and surgeons had drilled holes in his cranium to scale back the stress on his mind.
In line with experiences, Schumacher initially walked away from the accident after complaining solely of feeling a bit shaken.
Schumacher was moved to an even bigger facility at Grenoble earlier than being introduced dwelling to Switzerland proceed his restoration in September 2014.
How is Schumacher now?
The Schumacher household preserve a dignified silence in regards to the 54-year-old’s well being as they are saying these can be his needs.
In 2014, The Telegraph reported that Schumacher was paralysed and wheelchair-bound.
A uncommon replace was supplied by the household in September 2021 upon the discharge of a Netflix documentary in regards to the F1 legend’s life.
Schumacher’s spouse Corinna mentioned the 91-time grand prix winner is “completely different, however he’s right here”.
“He nonetheless exhibits me how robust he’s every single day,” mentioned Corinna. “We’re attempting to hold on as a household.”
She added: “We reside collectively at dwelling. We do remedy.
“We do all the pieces we are able to to make Michael higher and to verify he is snug. And to easily make him really feel our household, our bond.
“And it doesn’t matter what, I’ll do all the pieces I can. All of us will. And we’re getting on with our lives.”
It was reported by German media, forward of the 10-year anniversary of his snowboarding accident in late-2023, that Schumacher receives 24-hour care from a group of as much as 15 individuals. He has been pushed in a Mercedes highway automobile, and performed sounds from the F1 monitor, to stimulate his mind with acquainted noises.
Schumacher’s son Mick has adopted in his father’s footsteps by making his F1 debut with Haas in 2021 after successful the F2 title.
The 23-year-old spent two years in F1 with Haas, with a sixth place on the 2022 Austrian Grand Prix his finest end up to now. He’s at present the third driver for Mercedes, the group the place his father ended his personal profession.
Mick first talked publicly about his father in March 2017, describing him as “my idol” and “my function mannequin”.
Within the Schumacher Netflix documentary, Mick mentioned he “would quit all the pieces” only for the possibility to speak to his father Michael about racing.
Who visits Michael Schumacher?
Former Ferrari boss and ex-FIA president Jean Todt revealed that he watches F1 races with Schumacher, and is one in every of a choose few allowed to go to him.
“I do not miss Michael. I can see him,” Todt informed German TV channel RTL. “However in fact, what I miss is what we used to do collectively.
“Sure it is true – I watch the races with Michael.”
Eddie Jordan, the ex-team boss who gave a younger Schumacher his large break in F1, will not be allowed to go to however agrees with the household’s choice.
“This was essentially the most horrific state of affairs for Mick and Corinna,” he informed The Solar.
“It has been almost 10 years now and Corinna has not been capable of go to a celebration, to lunch or this or that, she’s like a prisoner as a result of everybody would wish to speak to her about Michael when she does not want reminding of it each minute.”
What will we find out about Michael Schumacher?
Felix Damm, Schumacher’s lawyer, defined in 2023 why no ultimate report was ever launched in regards to the F1 legend’s well being.
“It was at all times about defending personal issues,” he mentioned. “We thought of whether or not a ultimate report about Michael’s well being may very well be the fitting manner to do that.
“However that wouldn’t have been the top of it and there would have needed to be always up to date ‘water stage experiences’ and it might not have been as much as the household when the media curiosity within the story stopped.
“They [the media] might decide up on such a report time and again and as ‘and what does it appear to be now?’ one, two, three months or years after the message,” he added. “If we then needed to take motion towards this reporting, we must cope with the argument of voluntary self-disclosure.
“If it’s not the particular person involved himself however buddies or acquaintances who disclose personal data, it’s not a case of ‘voluntary self-disclosure’ of privateness.”
In late-2024, Lewis Hamilton wrote a tribute because the foreword of a e-book about Schumacher.
The e-book, World Championship Vehicles: Michael Schumacher, explores the equipment that the F1 legend drove all through his profession.
Hamilton wrote within the e-book: “Michael is among the many legends in our sport. Whenever you develop up with ardour for motorsport, you at all times lookup at particular individuals, and doubtless Michael was a job mannequin for younger drivers.
“His velocity, his work morals, his dedication and consistency – the size of his profession and his high efficiency can solely be admired.”
Hamilton added: “Relating to Michael’s legacy, nonetheless, I concentrate on him as an individual somewhat than a competitor.
“It isn’t about titles or trophies, however in regards to the household that he and Corinna created collectively.
“Their greatness, their humility and their sincerity say way more about Michael’s values than I ever might.”
