Motorsport

MICHAEL Schumacher is in the “best hands” as he continues recover from his horror ski crash, said his close pal Jean Todt. Todt – who was the boss at Ferrari during the F1 driver’s dominance with the team – is one of the only people still allowed to see Schumacher.
Michael Schumacher celebrates with Jean Todt on the podium in 2006Credit: AP:Associated Press
Michael’s health remains shrouded in mystery as he has not been seen or heard from since an accident while skiing in the Alps in December 2013.
The 53-year-old racer is feared to be never be the same again after suffering a brain injury which left him in a medically induced coma for six months.
And since being released home, there have been very few concrete updates on his health.
But his pal Todt has offered a few brief glimpse into Schuey’s life as he revealed he still sees the stricken F1 legend “three times a week”.
READ MORE ON SCHUMACHER
The 76-year-old thanked Michael’s fans for their devotion and assured them their beloved icon is in “the best hands”.
And he said that the 91-time race winner is surrounded by people who care for him and love him.
Todt has previously described the F1 ace as living with the “consequences” of his crash – but has never given up hope.
The executive was a key part of the Ferrari team that saw the German win five world titles from 2000 to 2004.
Most read in Motorsport
And he was reported to have been a regular visitor at the Ferrari and Mercedes racer’s bedside after his ski crash, with F1 champ Niki Lauda describing the pair as having a “deep and respectful friendship”.
Todt is believed to be one of the only people outside of the immediate family who goes to see Schumacher.
It is believed Michael’s wife Corinna has imposed a “family only” rule – with Schumacher’s first F1 boss Eddie Jordan revealing last week he was blocked from seeing him.
Todt told Bild: “I’m happy that the fans, not only in Germany, think of him so much.
“People ask so much about Michael. The fans should know that he is in the best of hands.
“In the best situation he can be and surrounded by people who love him.”
As long as I am in this world, I will always visit himJean Todt
He added: “As long as I am in this world, I will always visit him.
“Sometimes we see each other three times a week, sometimes not for a whole month.
“They are my friends and we are in constant contact. Whatever I can do for the Schumacher family, I’ll do it.”
And the ex-FIA president previously told how he “hopes the world” will be able to see his dear friend again.
He added Schumacher has “never changed”.
He continued: “I don’t leave him alone. Him, Corinna, the family, we’ve had so many experiences together.
Schumacher is regarded as one of the greatest F1 drivers of all timeCredit: AFP
“The beauty of what we have experienced is part of us and it goes on.
“Sometimes success and money changes you. But Michael has never changed. He’s so strong.”
He also revealed Schumacher still loves to watch Formula One races – with his son Mick currently competing in the sport with Haas.
“I miss is what we used to do together,” added Todt.
Schumacher’s pal Jordan – who gave Michael his F1 debut back in 1991 – last week spoke about the racer.
“So, there was connection and I reached out and one stage asked was it appropriate and did I think we should go and visit him,” the Dubliner told the Irish Daily Mirror.
“The answer was no. No visitations for anyone at that moment except the actual direct family.
“However, since then, young Mick Schumacher – Michael’s son – has reached out to me, and he has been extraordinary.”
Schumacher was recruited for the Jordan team as a last minute replacement for an existing driver, who had been jailed for assault.
The then rookie 22-year-old had in fact only driven an F1 car for the first time a few days before the race.
The Jordan car he drove at the Belgian Grand Prix remains in Schumacher’s private collection.
Corinna broke down in tears last month as her husband was awarded the State Prize of North Rhine-Westphalia.
And the family are reported to be preparing to start spending the winter months at a property in Majorca – having “big plans” for their “new life”.
Michael is one of the greatest F1 drivers of all time, dominating the sport in the early 2000s after rising to power in the 90s.
He raced from 1991 to 2006, and again from 2010 to 2012 – a second act of his career which saw him become instrumental in setting up Lewis Hamilton’s dominant Mercedes team.
Read More on The Sun
The German won five world championships with Ferrari and two for Benetton.
Schumacher retired in 2012, but just a year later he was involved in the life-changing ski crash. More

LEWIS HAMILTON blasted his Mercedes team and accused them of making “the biggest f*** up” as he was denied a shot at winning the Dutch GP.A late safety car when Valtteri Bottas conked out turned this excellent race on its head as Hamilton stayed out on track while Max Verstappen pitted from the lead.
Max Verstappen’s win was his 10th of the seasonCredit: Getty
Verstappen now has a 109 point lead at the top of the Driver StandingsCredit: Getty
Verstappen overtook Lewis Hamilton with 11 laps left of the Dutch GPCredit: Getty
It promoted the Brit to first place but Mercedes failed to call him in for fresh tyres – unlike teammate George Russell.
There were parallels of that ill-fated race in Abu Dhabi last December as when the race restarted, he was a sitting duck.
Verstappen powered past the helpless Mercedes man, who vented his frustration over the radio.
He said: “That was the biggest f*** up. I can’t believe you guys screwed me.
Read More In F1
“I can’t tell you how p***** I am. I can’t believe how much you guys f***ed me”.
Hamilton came home in fourth place behind Russell and Charles Leclec who finished in second and third place respectively.
Verstappen’s home win – his fourth in a row and 10th of the season – means he has a whopping 109 points lead over Leclerc.
But just how Merc stuffed Hamilton up will take some unpicking as questions will again resurface about whether he intends to remain in the team.
Most read in Motorsport
FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS – BEST NEW CUSTOMER OFFERS
Verstappen said: “It was not a straightforward race. We had to push and with the safety cars it was important to make the right calls.
“Before that safety car I thought I was OK to the end, but when it came out I didn’t think we could keep it up if we didn’t pit.
“But I had a good run at the restart and into turn one. We timed it really well into the banking and got the draft right and got it done.
“It is always special to win your home GP. I had to work for it even more but a great weekend.”
Russell who was second said: “As a team, we showed incredible pace and not what we hoped for.
“But we can take a lot of confidence moving forward and we are slowly getting closer to that top step and hope we can catch them.” More

MAX VERSTAPPEN sent the orange-clad fans wild by taking pole for the Dutch GP — then slammed the “stupid” ones who threw smoke bombs on the track.Qualifying had to be stopped as a flare was removed from the live race track, while the spectator was identified and chucked out of the circuit.
Qualifying was stopped when a flare was thrown onto the trackCredit: Getty
The home crowd let off multiple orange flares in support of Max VerstappenCredit: Getty
The stands were a sea of orange in support of the Dutch starCredit: Rex
Max Verstappen secured yet another pole position for his home raceCredit: Getty
A second flare was lobbed on to the track in the final part of qualifying in another dangerous moment — but then thankfully it rolled off the circuit and away from the passing cars.
Dutch Red Bull driver Verstappen blasted certain individuals who made up the 105,000 crowd at Zandvoort.
He said: “To hold flares, it’s nice, but there’s a limit to how much. However, to then throw them on the track is just stupid.
“The person who did that got removed. Just don’t do that. It’s not good for anyone.
Read More In F1
“You get thrown out, so you can’t see the race. And for us the session is stopped because it’s dangerous, there’s stuff on the track. So you shouldn’t do it.”
It comes after Dutch fans were accused of sexual harassment, racism and homophobia at the Austrian Grand Prix.
There were also incidents of burning Lewis Hamilton merchandise in Hungary and altercations with the police in Spa.
Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc, who will start the race in second place, also condemned the flare-throwing fans.
Most read in Motorsport
FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALS – BEST NEW CUSTOMER OFFERS
He added: “It’s dangerous, so don’t do this type of thing. This shouldn’t happen.
“I don’t know if in the future we can do anything to avoid that. If a car is passing at that time, then it can create unnecessary risk.” 
A spin in the final seconds for Verstappen’s Red Bull team-mate Sergio Perez put paid to Hamilton’s chances of challenging for a front-row start.
The Mercedes man was forced to slow down due to the yellow flags waved for Perez’s stricken car.
However, he is confident after a strong performance all weekend and is looking to make up for his first-lap crash at Spa last weekend.
Hamilton said: “I was much happier coming into this weekend, to have a car that’s potentially fighting.
“But I just don’t understand, one weekend it can be so far off and the next weekend, all of a sudden, we’re right there. It’s confusing.
“But there are lots of positives to take from today. 
“If we hadn’t had the yellow flag we would have been fighting for the front row.
“The potential is there but I have no idea whether the car is going to be good or bad at the next races.
“It’s like a mood swing. Like the characteristics of a human being, you don’t know what side of the bed you’re going to get out of.”
When quizzed about his chances of making it on to the podium, the Brit added: “I am definitely optimistic, it’s just difficult to overtake here — so we’ll see.
“I felt I could go quicker, so I hope that translates for the race, but I will definitely be pushing as hard as I can for a podium.”
Hamilton’s team-mate George Russell was also denied a higher starting berth on the grid due to Perez’s late error.
And the Brit, who will start in sixth place on the grid, also had his say on the flares — which were prohibited by security and smuggled in.
He said: “The fans and the atmosphere here is one of the best of the season, it’s impressive what they’ve done with it as an event.
“But you can’t mess around with things like this. It’s just a shame for everyone else.
“How dangerous are they? If you run over it, it’s quite sharp, it could give you a puncture. It could be harmless or cause a lot of damage.
Read More on The Sun
“It’s quite a spectacle seeing it in the stands — but I can’t imagine if you’re standing there it’s the most pleasant thing to be beside.
“It would be a shame seeing them totally banned, because it’s part of the show now, but I’d like to see people show a bit more common sense.”
Lewis Hamilton will start Sunday’s race fourth on the gridCredit: Getty More