F1 legend Michael Schumacher will go down in historical past as one of many best 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 stored personal, along with his household solely issuing uncommon updates.
What occurred to Schumacher?
Schumacher was left in a essential situation after an accident whereas snowboarding along 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 carrying a helmet when he fell and hit his head towards a rock, suffered severe mind trauma and was in a coma when he arrived at a French hospital.
He underwent fast surgical procedure earlier than a second operation through 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 strain on his mind.
Based on experiences, Schumacher initially walked away from the accident after complaining solely of feeling a bit shaken.
Schumacher was moved to a much 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 concerning the 56-year-old’s well being as they are saying these could 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 concerning the F1 legend’s life.
Schumacher’s spouse Corinna mentioned the 91-time grand prix winner is “totally different, however he’s right here”.
“He nonetheless exhibits me how sturdy he’s on daily basis,” mentioned Corinna. “We’re making an attempt to hold on as a household.”
She added: “We dwell collectively at dwelling. We do remedy.
“We do all the things we will to make Michael higher and to verify he is comfy. And to easily make him really feel our household, our bond.
“And it doesn’t matter what, I’ll do all the things 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 crew of as much as 15 folks. He has been pushed in a Mercedes street automobile, and performed sounds from the F1 observe, 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 profitable 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 to this point. He’s at the moment the third driver for Mercedes, the crew 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 position mannequin”.
Within the Schumacher Netflix documentary, Mick mentioned he “would quit all the things” only for the prospect 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 instructed German TV channel RTL. “However after all, 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, shouldn’t be allowed to go to however agrees with the household’s resolution.
“This was probably the most horrific scenario for Mick and Corinna,” he instructed The Solar.
“It has been practically 10 years now and Corinna has not been in a position to go to a celebration, to lunch or this or that, she’s like a prisoner as a result of everybody would wish to discuss 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 closing report was ever launched concerning the F1 legend’s well being.
“It was all the time about defending personal issues,” he mentioned. “We thought of whether or not a closing report about Michael’s well being might be the correct approach to do that.
“However that wouldn’t have been the top of it and there would have needed to be consistently up to date ‘water stage experiences’ and it will not have been as much as the household when the media curiosity within the story stopped.
“They [the media] may decide up on such a report repeatedly and as ‘and what does it appear to be now?’ one, two, three months or years after the message,” he added. “If we then wished to take motion towards this reporting, we must cope with the argument of voluntary self-disclosure.
“If it isn’t the particular person involved himself however mates or acquaintances who disclose personal info, it isn’t 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. While you develop up with ardour for motorsport, you all the time lookup at particular folks, and no doubt Michael was a job mannequin for younger drivers.
“His pace, his work morals, his willpower and consistency – the size of his profession and his high efficiency can solely be admired.”
Hamilton added: “In relation to Michael’s legacy, nevertheless, I concentrate on him as an individual moderately than a competitor.
“It isn’t about titles or trophies, however concerning the household that he and Corinna created collectively.
“Their greatness, their humility and their sincerity say rather more about Michael’s values than I ever may.”
Schumacher household blackmail plot
The household of Schumacher have been victims of a blackmail plot. The offender was jailed in February 2025.
Yilmaz Tozturkan was given a three-year sentence conspiring with two different males to acquire personal footage of Schumacher.
Tozturkan’s son, Daniel Lins, and Schumacher’s former bodyguard Markus Fritsche got suspended sentences.
Tozturkan mentioned in courtroom: “I’m very sorry and ashamed for what I’ve achieved. It was a really disgusting factor. I take full duty.”
Thilo Damm, the Schumacher household lawyer, admitted afterwards: “We don’t know the place the lacking onerous drive is … so there’s the potential for one other menace by way of the again door.”
