F1

ONE of Michael Schumacher’s closest friends has dealt a fresh blow to his devoted fans in a tragic update on his ten-year health battle.The Formula One legend, 54, has been kept out of the public eye since his horror skiing crash, and his family maintains strict privacy around his condition.
A tragic update has been provided on the health of Formula One legend Michael SchumacherCredit: Getty
F1 journalist and close friend Roger Benoit has called the 54-year-old “a case without hope”Credit: PA
The seven-time world champion was air-lifted to hospital after tripping on the snow and hitting his head on a rock in 2013.
But no-one besides his close family have seen Schumacher since, nor have any photos of the German been released.
However, Formula 1 journalist Roger Benoit has provided a saddening update on the health of one of his closest friends.
When asked by Swiss newspaper Blick to provide a specific update on Schumacher, he refused and said: “No.
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“There is only one answer to this question and that is what his son Mick gave in one of his rare interviews in 2022: “I would give anything to talk to dad”.
“This sentence says everything about how his father has been doing for over 3,500 days. A case without hope.”
The harrowing confession on the 54-year-old offers an insight into the pain that his closest friends and family have had to deal with.
Following that skiing accident in the French Alps in 2013, Schumacher spent 250 days in a medically-induced coma in hospital.
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Even since he was eventually permitted to return home, few have seen or visited him, and reports of the German’s condition are extremely rare.
Some friends and even family members have been kept in the dark by those closest to him in an effort to prevent leaks to the press.
Schumacher’s son, Mick, continued the family’s legacy of F1 drivers when competing for Haas in 2021 and 2022.
He is now a reserve driver for Mercedes and McLaren but one thing remains on his mind.
“I think dad and me, we would understand each other in a different way now,” he said last year.
“We would have had much more to talk about and that is where my head is most of the time, thinking that would be so cool.
“I would give up everything just for that.
“These moments that I believe many people have with their parents are no longer present, or to a lesser extent.”
Schumacher’s wife, Corinna, offered a small but powerful update on her husband’s health during the 2021 Netflix documentary about the German.
An emotional Corinna said: “Michael is here. Different, but he’s here, and that gives us strength, I find.
“We’re together. We live together at home. We do therapy. We do everything we can to make Michael better and to make sure he’s comfortable.
“And to simply make him feel our family, our bond. And no matter what, I will do everything I can. We all will.
“We’re trying to carry on as a family, the way Michael liked it and still does. And we are getting on with our lives.
“I have never blamed God for what happened. It was just really bad luck – all the bad luck anyone can have in life.
“It’s always terrible when you say, “Why is this happening to Michael or us?” But then why does it happen to other people?”
The 54-year-old has been so determined to prevent leaks of her husband’s condition that she has even prevented their closest friends from visiting.
That includes F1 icon Eddie Jordan, who was told by Corinna he could not see Michael.
He told OLBG in March: “This was the most horrific situation for Mick and Corinna.
“It’s been nearly 10 years now and Corinna has not been able to go to a party, to lunch or this or that.
“She’s like a prisoner because everyone would want to talk to her about Michael when she doesn’t need reminding of it every minute.
“I know her very well and a long time before Michael Schumacher.
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“She’s a lovely girl and I knew her when she married Michael so there is a long history of good relations.
“I made an effort to go see Michael in the early days and Corinna refused, and rightfully so because too many people wanted to go see him.”
The German Ferrari driver wa a world champions on seven occasionsCredit: AFP
A tragic skiing incident in 2013 left Schumacher in a medically-induced coma with lifelong brain injuriesCredit: AFP More

FORMULA 1 legend Johnny Herbert said everyone has “lost out” on the absence of “mega star” Michael Schumacher since his tragic skiing accident 10 years ago.The seven-time world champion has been hidden away from the public eye ever since, as his family maintains strict privacy around his condition.
Michael Schumacher has not been seen since his tragic accident 10 years agoCredit: AP
Johnny Herbert says F1 lost a “mega star” in Michael Schumacher following his 2013 accidentCredit: Getty
The 54-year-old was airlifted to hospital during a skiing trip with his son, Mick, to the French Alps in December 2013.
But very rare updates on his health have been given in the nearly ten years that have followed.
Speaking to CasinoSite.nl, Herbert explained the impacts of Schumacher’s absence around the track.
He said: “We have lost a mega star of our sport who gave so much enjoyment to a lot of people.
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“It was very sad that Mick couldn’t have his Dad around and it is sad that we as an F1 community don’t have him around the paddock.
“It is a shame. Everyone loses out on learning about the Michael Schumacher we never saw when he was in the cockpit.”
It is understood that even Schumacher’s close friends and family have often been left in the dark about his condition.
But his wife, Corinna, did at least offer a rare update during his Netflix documentary in 2021.
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As he continues to undergo rehabilitation for his life-changing injuries, Corinna revealed that Schumacher is “different, but here”.
His son, Mick, has helped to take some of the spotlight away from his father since making his F1 World Championship debut in 2021.
Driving for the Haas F1 Team, the then 22-year-old finished 19th overall after 22 races.
The following year, he secured an improved 16th place finish, picking up 12 points, but is yet to compete since.
When asked whether Mick could drive again, Herbert said: “I think Mick Schumacher is in one of those horrible F1 situations that he probably did not impress enough when he was at Haas.
“And because of that he is damaged. And no-one is going to talk about him.”
However, alongside his mother in the family’s Netflix documentary, an emotional Mick gave an insight into his relationship with Michael.
He said: “I think dad and me, we would understand each other in a different way now.
“Simply because we speak a similar language – the language of motorsport.
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“We would have had much more to talk about and that is where my head is most of the time, thinking that would be so cool.
“That would be it. I would give up everything just for that. Yes.”
Very few updates have been given on Michael’s health over the past decadeCredit: Getty
Schumacher celebrates with the trophy after winning the British Grand Prix at Silverstone in 2004Credit: PA:Press Association More